Langer hints at retirement after Ashes

Melbourne, May 9 (UNI) Australian middle order bat Justin Langer dropped strong hints that he is likely to call it a day after the Ashes series against England this summer.

The 35-year-old batsman earlier considered hanging up his boots following the tour of South Africa during which he was concussed by a Makhaya Ntini bouncer.

Though Langer did not give any specific time frame for his retirement, he hinted continuing till the Ashes.

''I have always said that the day you decide to retire, do it - don't announce it ahead of time, because it will just lead to huge distractions,'' Langer told Sydney Morning Herald.

''I can't say what the future holds beyond the Ashes. I would hate to say something now and it become a big distraction through something that is as big a deal as the Ashes,'' he said.

''The last (Ashes) series really hurt. I would love to leave the game knowing that we had regained the Ashes, and the next Ashes team would have it in their possession,'' he added.

The 100-Test veteran revealed he was advised to quit the game following the South Africa tour.

''A few people close to me suggested that I should think about retiring after that last Test (in South Africa). I promised that I would go away for three weeks and make a decision. When I first came back home I thought that possibly it was the time to go. But I know that now isn't the right time.'' ''I don't know if that means I've got one series to go or whatever, but I know that I really want to play in the Ashes. It would definitely be nice to leave the game with the Ashes in our possession,'' he elaborated.

Australia is clearly at a crossroad with frontline players like Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne and Langer in their mid-30s even though chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch believes that with improved training, dietary and recovery techniques, the players can well continue even after next year's World Cup.

Langer, however, believes otherwise.

''Physically and mentally, we can probably play a long time these days. We are compensated well and looked after well. But to be frank, the hardest thing for me now is the time away from home, and it has become excruciatingly hard.'' ''I am feeling it even more at the moment because I have just had three weeks of spending every day with my kids. It is the hardest thing ever to keep leaving them for long stints,'' he admitted.

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