Justin Langer wrote Sir Donald Bradman a letter on the 15th of August 1994 seeking ‘the Don’s’ advice and he got a reply only two days later. The letter said in words to the effect: ‘You flatter me, an old octogenarian when you ask my advice... young man, follow your instincts and don’t be a slave to coaching.’ Justin was in awe of the Don’s humility and has sought to emulate that quality ever since.
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As a youth, Justin was strongly encouraged to go to university as it was the ‘safe option’ but after a year at it he realised it wasn’t for him. He decided to ‘follow his heart’ and go to England when he was 18; the rest is history. He joked that it was only about two years ago his mum stopped telling him to ‘get a real job.’ With both mum and dad there for the launch of his book, Seeing the Sunrise, it was clear family is his greatest joy.
As a youth, Justin was strongly encouraged to go to university as it was the ‘safe option’ but after a year at it he realised it wasn’t for him. He decided to ‘follow his heart’ and go to England when he was 18; the rest is history. He joked that it was only about two years ago his mum stopped telling him to ‘get a real job.’ With both mum and dad there for the launch of his book, Seeing the Sunrise, it was clear family is his greatest joy.
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Justin admitted that he was “so nervous” speaking to us – more nervous than before a Test! No matter how many times he does this it never gets easier.
Justin admitted that he was “so nervous” speaking to us – more nervous than before a Test! No matter how many times he does this it never gets easier.
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An old story emerged early in his talk – one that was so richly illustrated it was marvellous for every male in the packed function centre – as he gave us a rare glimpse of what it was like approaching and playing in his first Test against the West Indies in January 1993.
An old story emerged early in his talk – one that was so richly illustrated it was marvellous for every male in the packed function centre – as he gave us a rare glimpse of what it was like approaching and playing in his first Test against the West Indies in January 1993.
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This is how the story goes:
This is how the story goes:
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Justin hadn’t picked up a bat in two weeks, which for him was nothing short of amazing as there’s not normally a day goes past without him hitting cricket balls or ‘shadowing.’
Justin hadn’t picked up a bat in two weeks, which for him was nothing short of amazing as there’s not normally a day goes past without him hitting cricket balls or ‘shadowing.’
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Eggs were boiling on the stove when the phone rings; it’s Tony Mann, the WACA Coach saying, ‘you’ve been selected to play for Australia, tomorrow.’ His mother (who’s no body builder) picked him up in glee, and his father (who’s no wimp) got a lump in his throat – strange reactions indeed! He ran upstairs to grab his bat and quickly seconded brother Jonathon to throw him twenty balls before flying out to Adelaide an hour later.
Eggs were boiling on the stove when the phone rings; it’s Tony Mann, the WACA Coach saying, ‘you’ve been selected to play for Australia, tomorrow.’ His mother (who’s no body builder) picked him up in glee, and his father (who’s no wimp) got a lump in his throat – strange reactions indeed! He ran upstairs to grab his bat and quickly seconded brother Jonathon to throw him twenty balls before flying out to Adelaide an hour later.
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He arrives at the hotel in Adelaide and meets fellow players he’s in awe of: there is Merv Hughes, Allan Border, Ian Healy, Steve and Mark Waugh, and others. He goes up to his room and on the bed is a large, long cardboard box with ‘JUSTIN LANGER – AUSTRALIAN TEST CRICKETER’ emblazoned over it. He opens the box and finds all sorts of ‘presents’ in there; shirts, jumpers, cricket gear, sunnies, cash, etc. The most prized object though is the baggy green Australian Test cap. It was like Christmas! The next day he’s walking alone onto the Adelaide Oval and he gets a tap on the shoulder; it’s the Australian captain, Allan Border who says, ‘how’s things JL?’, to which Langer replies, ‘No worries, AB,’ thrilled to be calling ‘the king’ by his nickname. He slept soundly that night what with his baggy green and bat in his bed with him.
He arrives at the hotel in Adelaide and meets fellow players he’s in awe of: there is Merv Hughes, Allan Border, Ian Healy, Steve and Mark Waugh, and others. He goes up to his room and on the bed is a large, long cardboard box with ‘JUSTIN LANGER – AUSTRALIAN TEST CRICKETER’ emblazoned over it. He opens the box and finds all sorts of ‘presents’ in there; shirts, jumpers, cricket gear, sunnies, cash, etc. The most prized object though is the baggy green Australian Test cap. It was like Christmas! The next day he’s walking alone onto the Adelaide Oval and he gets a tap on the shoulder; it’s the Australian captain, Allan Border who says, ‘how’s things JL?’, to which Langer replies, ‘No worries, AB,’ thrilled to be calling ‘the king’ by his nickname. He slept soundly that night what with his baggy green and bat in his bed with him.
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The next day: Day one of the Test. The West Indies won the toss and batted but were all out before stumps, leaving 40 minutes of play remaining; a nightmare proposition. Langer remembers sitting in the player’s rooms putting his right pad strap on, and the West Indies going up in appeal: Taylor OUT! He’s all of a sudden frantically strapping on pads, box, etc and walking out to play. It’s like one of those dreams when you wake up without clothes on!
The next day: Day one of the Test. The West Indies won the toss and batted but were all out before stumps, leaving 40 minutes of play remaining; a nightmare proposition. Langer remembers sitting in the player’s rooms putting his right pad strap on, and the West Indies going up in appeal: Taylor OUT! He’s all of a sudden frantically strapping on pads, box, etc and walking out to play. It’s like one of those dreams when you wake up without clothes on!
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Out in the middle now, and about to face Ian Bishop, and he’s immediately mindful of the chatter. Keith Arthurton is saying, ‘Kill him, Bishy.’ Silly Mid On fielder, Desmond Haynes can smell fear and says, ‘He’s scared, Bishy.’ All Langer sees is stick figures as the wicketkeeper and slips fielders are so far back and Bishop stands with the shiny red cherry almost back at the BankWest Tower!
Out in the middle now, and about to face Ian Bishop, and he’s immediately mindful of the chatter. Keith Arthurton is saying, ‘Kill him, Bishy.’ Silly Mid On fielder, Desmond Haynes can smell fear and says, ‘He’s scared, Bishy.’ All Langer sees is stick figures as the wicketkeeper and slips fielders are so far back and Bishop stands with the shiny red cherry almost back at the BankWest Tower!
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His first ball missed his nose by a hair as the kookaburra laughed on its way past. The second ball cannoned into his helmet, splitting it and his head also, to which batting partner David Boon said on approach, ‘there’s no heroes in Test cricket, son; retire hurt.’ Langer didn’t – he continued. The next morning Boon is hit square on the point of the elbow and Langer, going to Boon’s aid, mentions the same thing, tongue-in-cheek. To his surprise, Boon walked off, retired hurt!
His first ball missed his nose by a hair as the kookaburra laughed on its way past. The second ball cannoned into his helmet, splitting it and his head also, to which batting partner David Boon said on approach, ‘there’s no heroes in Test cricket, son; retire hurt.’ Langer didn’t – he continued. The next morning Boon is hit square on the point of the elbow and Langer, going to Boon’s aid, mentions the same thing, tongue-in-cheek. To his surprise, Boon walked off, retired hurt!
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Justin told us that in the fabric of his baggy green cap is his life story. Each cap that preceded the baggy green, the yellow State cap, the black and gold Scarborough grade cap, and the red Warwick juniors cap were all ‘equally as important.’ One could not be gained before the other.
Justin told us that in the fabric of his baggy green cap is his life story. Each cap that preceded the baggy green, the yellow State cap, the black and gold Scarborough grade cap, and the red Warwick juniors cap were all ‘equally as important.’ One could not be gained before the other.
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One day whilst leaving a grade cricket ground with fellow teammate Darin Ramshaw, Langer noticed a fit figure of a man hope out of a black sports car. It was South Australian AFL legend, Craig Bradley. ‘He gets fit during the week and plays footy on the weekends,’ said Ramshaw at Langer’s enquiry. Justin decided that day that not only did he want to get fit during the week and play cricket professionally, but he also wanted a symbol – the black sports car – the symbol of success much like a cross is for a Christian.
One day whilst leaving a grade cricket ground with fellow teammate Darin Ramshaw, Langer noticed a fit figure of a man hope out of a black sports car. It was South Australian AFL legend, Craig Bradley. ‘He gets fit during the week and plays footy on the weekends,’ said Ramshaw at Langer’s enquiry. Justin decided that day that not only did he want to get fit during the week and play cricket professionally, but he also wanted a symbol – the black sports car – the symbol of success much like a cross is for a Christian.
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To be successful, Justin told us, requires us to pay the price. There are three ways the successful pay the price:
To be successful, Justin told us, requires us to pay the price. There are three ways the successful pay the price:
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- first, they’re the subject of envy of others;
- first, they’re the subject of envy of others;
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- second, there are plenty of disappointments, BUT, ‘The pain of discipline is nothing like the pain of disappointment;
- second, there are plenty of disappointments, BUT, ‘The pain of discipline is nothing like the pain of disappointment;
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- thirdly, hard work that is hopefully worth it – like all the sacrifices his parents made running him to games, practise etc.
- thirdly, hard work that is hopefully worth it – like all the sacrifices his parents made running him to games, practise etc.
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When Justin learned of Chris Mainwaring’s death only a day after they trained together for their upcoming exhibition bout, he saw the sick and fickle irony – the ‘fickleness of life.’
When Justin learned of Chris Mainwaring’s death only a day after they trained together for their upcoming exhibition bout, he saw the sick and fickle irony – the ‘fickleness of life.’
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He finishes every day the same way; writing in his journal. Each entry commences with the same line: “I’m the luckiest person in the world.” He recited the “One day at a time” poem for us as a key message of life. There are two rest days in every week. They are yesterday and tomorrow. We don’t need to worry about them.
He finishes every day the same way; writing in his journal. Each entry commences with the same line: “I’m the luckiest person in the world.” He recited the “One day at a time” poem for us as a key message of life. There are two rest days in every week. They are yesterday and tomorrow. We don’t need to worry about them.
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When asked about his preparation, Justin, mentioned it was his key. He said, ‘You never mess with a good recipe.’ His recipe for the past few years has been to 1) be happy and in a relaxed frame of mind when batting; 2) to be focussed on the ball; 3) to be well prepared having done all the hard work with the results looking after themselves; and 4) be decisive.
When asked about his preparation, Justin, mentioned it was his key. He said, ‘You never mess with a good recipe.’ His recipe for the past few years has been to 1) be happy and in a relaxed frame of mind when batting; 2) to be focussed on the ball; 3) to be well prepared having done all the hard work with the results looking after themselves; and 4) be decisive.
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Having “earned respect” from teammates and opponents alike, Justin bowed out of the game. He attributes his martial arts to much of his success. KIME – loose body and tight mind – is the basis of his philosophy.
Having “earned respect” from teammates and opponents alike, Justin bowed out of the game. He attributes his martial arts to much of his success. KIME – loose body and tight mind – is the basis of his philosophy.
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His honesty and depth of character are something to behold. It produces in me a sort of ‘nice envy’; it’s almost like I wish I were him. He’s a legend. What an absolute treat it was to be there, shake hands, and have his book signed personally; I asked for him to contribute a Bible verse, and Justin scribbled down for me, ‘God doesn’t give us the spirit of fear, but of love, strength, and a sound mind.’ (2 Timothy 1:7) He also volunteered Romans 5 and Philippians 4:13 saying “these ones are good too.”
His honesty and depth of character are something to behold. It produces in me a sort of ‘nice envy’; it’s almost like I wish I were him. He’s a legend. What an absolute treat it was to be there, shake hands, and have his book signed personally; I asked for him to contribute a Bible verse, and Justin scribbled down for me, ‘God doesn’t give us the spirit of fear, but of love, strength, and a sound mind.’ (2 Timothy 1:7) He also volunteered Romans 5 and Philippians 4:13 saying “these ones are good too.”
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© Copyright 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
© Copyright 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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