Danny
30-10-2005, 02:11 PM
After fracturing a rib against Victorie in the ING, Langer has assured all that he will be fit to play.
Love his quote "The thing I will have to get used to is the pain."
Langer to play with cracked rib
By Jon Ralph
October 30, 2005
FOXSPORTS
TEST opener Justin Langer will take on the four-pronged West Indian pace attack with a cracked rib in the first Test at the Gabba on Thursday.
Langer, opening the batting for Western Australia, was taken to hospital after being struck a sickening blow by Victorian paceman Gerard Denton in the ING Cup clash at the Junction Oval.
Scans confirmed Langer had cracked a rib and national selectors are likely to draft fellow West Australian Michael Hussey into the squad as back-up.
The pugnacious Langer, who batted on for a further nine deliveries after being struck - scoring 11 more runs - said he was 100 per cent certain of taking his place in the Test.
"I'll definitely be playing on Thursday," he said.
"I have a cracked rib, which will worry me. The thing I will have to get used to is the pain.
"There's nothing I can do about it, but it won't keep me out of the team."
Langer made it into double figures yesterday when he was hit by a rearing delivery that beat him for pace.
The ball thumped into his right rib cage, with Langer immediately clutching at his chest in pain and lifting his shirt to reveal a nasty red welt.
After pulling a Denton delivery to the boundary off the last ball of the eighth over, he left the field with the help of West Australian medical staff, saying he had difficulty breathing.
Cricket Australia medical officer Trefor James said Langer remained a good chance to play at the Gabba despite confirming he had cracked a rib.
"Justin was in considerable pain after receiving the knock to the rib cage, and scans taken of that area have discovered a small fracture in one of his ribs," James said.
"We are optimistic, though, that he will be able to take his place in the Australian line-up for next week's Test.
"However he will need to be monitored prior to that time before a final decision is made."
The Australian selectors are set to reconvene to consider the make-up of the side, currently without a back-up batsman.
Hussey looms as the likely replacement should Langer be ruled out despite the strong claims of middle-order batsman Brad Hodge, who was was 12th man for the Test against the World XI this month.
While Hodge has been the next cab off the rank for nearly a year, Hussey's impressive opening credentials and slashing one-day form are likely to see him overtake the Victorian.
The Australian selectors would be reluctant to change the middle order by lifting Katich to open in a Test for the first time, allowing Hodge to slot in at No.5.
Already clamouring for a Test spot after superb figures in recent years for West Australia, Hussey has put himself at the forefront of calculations with his amazing performances for the Australian one-day side. With eight undefeated innings from his 18 games, he has an average of 123.5 in one-day internationals. That sits well with his first-class record of 15,313 runs at 52.8 from 176 matches in Australia and England.
The selectors are determined to give Katich opportunities in the middle order, so elevating him to a part-time opener would seem at odds with those plans.
Last week chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns admitted he felt for the likes of Hodge and Hussey, but the Victorian seems destined to miss out again.
Hussey, who could manage only 17 chasing quick runs late in the West Australian innings yesterday, was put on stand-by for the Test team in February but was not needed when Matthew Hayden recovered from a back injury.
The Sunday Telegraph
Love his quote "The thing I will have to get used to is the pain."
Langer to play with cracked rib
By Jon Ralph
October 30, 2005
FOXSPORTS
TEST opener Justin Langer will take on the four-pronged West Indian pace attack with a cracked rib in the first Test at the Gabba on Thursday.
Langer, opening the batting for Western Australia, was taken to hospital after being struck a sickening blow by Victorian paceman Gerard Denton in the ING Cup clash at the Junction Oval.
Scans confirmed Langer had cracked a rib and national selectors are likely to draft fellow West Australian Michael Hussey into the squad as back-up.
The pugnacious Langer, who batted on for a further nine deliveries after being struck - scoring 11 more runs - said he was 100 per cent certain of taking his place in the Test.
"I'll definitely be playing on Thursday," he said.
"I have a cracked rib, which will worry me. The thing I will have to get used to is the pain.
"There's nothing I can do about it, but it won't keep me out of the team."
Langer made it into double figures yesterday when he was hit by a rearing delivery that beat him for pace.
The ball thumped into his right rib cage, with Langer immediately clutching at his chest in pain and lifting his shirt to reveal a nasty red welt.
After pulling a Denton delivery to the boundary off the last ball of the eighth over, he left the field with the help of West Australian medical staff, saying he had difficulty breathing.
Cricket Australia medical officer Trefor James said Langer remained a good chance to play at the Gabba despite confirming he had cracked a rib.
"Justin was in considerable pain after receiving the knock to the rib cage, and scans taken of that area have discovered a small fracture in one of his ribs," James said.
"We are optimistic, though, that he will be able to take his place in the Australian line-up for next week's Test.
"However he will need to be monitored prior to that time before a final decision is made."
The Australian selectors are set to reconvene to consider the make-up of the side, currently without a back-up batsman.
Hussey looms as the likely replacement should Langer be ruled out despite the strong claims of middle-order batsman Brad Hodge, who was was 12th man for the Test against the World XI this month.
While Hodge has been the next cab off the rank for nearly a year, Hussey's impressive opening credentials and slashing one-day form are likely to see him overtake the Victorian.
The Australian selectors would be reluctant to change the middle order by lifting Katich to open in a Test for the first time, allowing Hodge to slot in at No.5.
Already clamouring for a Test spot after superb figures in recent years for West Australia, Hussey has put himself at the forefront of calculations with his amazing performances for the Australian one-day side. With eight undefeated innings from his 18 games, he has an average of 123.5 in one-day internationals. That sits well with his first-class record of 15,313 runs at 52.8 from 176 matches in Australia and England.
The selectors are determined to give Katich opportunities in the middle order, so elevating him to a part-time opener would seem at odds with those plans.
Last week chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns admitted he felt for the likes of Hodge and Hussey, but the Victorian seems destined to miss out again.
Hussey, who could manage only 17 chasing quick runs late in the West Australian innings yesterday, was put on stand-by for the Test team in February but was not needed when Matthew Hayden recovered from a back injury.
The Sunday Telegraph