Wisden overview
Justin Langer was struck such a fearful blow on the helmet by Ian Bishop in his first Test innings in 1992-93 that for a while he was seeing double while facing West Indies. Since then, nothing has seemed too hard. He remained a bit player for Australia until finally seizing the No. 3 spot, which had been vacant since David Boon's retirement. His technique is wooden, watchful and workmanlike, built around the cut and square-drive. With it, though, Langer has demonstrated an ability to compile huge scores, and sometimes to score astonishingly quickly; in New Zealand in 1999-2000, he made what was then Australia's third-fastest Test century, and after losing his place to Damien Martyn in 2001, he returned as a hard-hitting opener and made five hundreds in seven Tests against three different opponents. He also succeeded Boon at short leg, where he sometimes shows too much courage for his own good. He rarely gets into Australia's one-day side - but that didn't stop him being named One-Day Player of the Year in 2002-03 for his state performances. Langer is Australia's Samuel Pepys, keeping a daily internet diary while on tour. Greg Baum

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