No. 3: Justin Langer
At one-drop in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: a gritty left-hand batsman who was a handy opener
Ricky Ponting
08-Jul-2015
"He typifies the baggy green cap and what it means to play for Australia. He is a winner and he always tried to help his team-mates out on the field. Not one ball went by without him encouraging the bowlers"
Stats
OVERALL: Matches 105 Innings 182 Runs 7696 Average 45.27 100s/50s 23/30
ASHES: Matches 21 Innings 38 Runs 1658 Average 50.24 100s/50s 5/5
ASHES: Matches 21 Innings 38 Runs 1658 Average 50.24 100s/50s 5/5
Who would be at one-drop in your Ashes XI?
1 votesJustin Langer
Ricky Ponting
Mark Butcher
Michael Vaughan
Jonathan Trott
Best performance
250 in Melbourne, 2002
Australia had already sealed the 2002-03 Ashes at home, and Justin Langer set them up for a potential third consecutive innings win in the fourth Test in Melbourne with a career-best 250. Langer put on 195 for the first wicket with Matthew Hayden, and ended up unbeaten on 146 as Australia closed the first day on 356 for 3. The next day it was more runs for Langer: he eventually got 250 before Australia declared on 551 for 6. Langer's innings included 30 fours and one six which he hit off offspinner Richard Dawson - who finally got him out - to bring up his century.
Australia had already sealed the 2002-03 Ashes at home, and Justin Langer set them up for a potential third consecutive innings win in the fourth Test in Melbourne with a career-best 250. Langer put on 195 for the first wicket with Matthew Hayden, and ended up unbeaten on 146 as Australia closed the first day on 356 for 3. The next day it was more runs for Langer: he eventually got 250 before Australia declared on 551 for 6. Langer's innings included 30 fours and one six which he hit off offspinner Richard Dawson - who finally got him out - to bring up his century.
Trivia
Justin Langer's 250 is the second-highest score by a left-hand batsman in the Ashes, after Bob Cowper's 307, which was also scored at the MCG.
One of cricket's modern greats, Ricky Ponting captained Australia in 324 matches and scored over 27,000 runs