Concussed Langer taken to hospital

JOHANNESBURG, Apr 1 (Reuters) Australia's Justin Langer was taken to hospital concussed after being hit on the head by a bouncer in the third test against South Africa today.

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini hit the left-handed Langer on the helmet behind his right ear causing significant concussion with the first ball in Australia's first innings.

Langer, playing in his 100th test, received treatment on the field after Ntini's short delivery had risen off the pitch but had to retire hurt in Australia's reply to South Africa's 303.

''He felt his arms and legs were weak, every time he sat up he felt very dizzy,'' Australia's team physiotherapist Alex Kountouri told a news conference.

''He was getting a headache, he didn't feel steady on his feet, and he couldn't put one leg in front of the other.

''He's quite weary, he had a significant concussion.'' Australia's media manager Philip Pope had earlier quoted Kountouri as saying that Langer had a cut in the back of his head and had received two stitches from the ground doctor.

He was able to walk from the dressing room to the ambulance that took him to hospital for precautionary scans.

Kountouri later told the news conference that Langer, who later returned to the team hotel, had improved.

''He remembers the incident, he was watching the game on television in the hospital.'' Kountouri said a decision on whether Langer would resume his innings had yet to be taken.

''We'll have to review him tomorrow morning and speak to the doctors,'' Kountouri said.

''It will depend on his symptoms. If he's feeling the way he was feeling when he left here he won't be batting.'' Langer was also felled on his test debut by West Indies' Ian Bishop.

Australia were 246 for seven when bad light ended play 14.4 overs early on Saturday.

REUTERS SK RN0034