Australian opener Justin Langer on Thursday dismissed fears a concussion suffered in South Africa could end his Test career, likening the injury to a ”massive hangover”.
Langer arrived back in Perth to rest after being concussed by a Makhaya Ntini screamer at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, and then defying doctors’ orders by shaping up to bat as Australia completed a 3-0 series whitewash.
In the event, Langer did not need to face any more balls before Australia won, but he said he remained committed to the team’s cause and the injury would not hamper his chances of playing in the Ashes series which begins at the end of the year.
He denied reports that another concussion could force his retirement.
”There are definitely no worries about the future, none at all,” Langer said.
”This was a freak incident, and that was the thing about batting in the second innings — the only danger was getting re-concussed in that short period of time.
”I still feel like I have got a massive hangover; I haven’t felt that well since I got the blow. Having said that, the last day of the Test match was one of the great days of my Test career, so that softened the blow a bit. But physically I am struggling.”
Langer said he had accepted Cricket Australia’s decision to pull him out of the two-Test Bangladesh tour, although he regretted he was not able to bat again sooner.
”At the time I was bitterly disappointed at the decision, but looking at it now I respect where they are coming from,” Langer said. ”I have read a report from the neurosurgeon and he recommended there was no way I would be available to play the first Test.”
Langer said the Ashes contest, beginning in Brisbane on November 23, was a huge incentive to return. — Sapa-AFP