Langer, too

It's getting a bit dull writing about Australian cricketers retiring, but I had to say something nice about Justin Langer. Why? Well, as an American I had never been interested in cricket because there just weren't any opportunities to see it on the grand stage. As a tourist in Adelaide, Australia in 2001, I was on the bus from the airport to my hotel when a nice lady asked me whether I had come to see the cricket. I had no idea there was cricket in Adelaide, and I was afraid I would not understand what was going on, but I decided to check it out. It was day one of a test match vs. Shaun Pollock's South Africa side, and when I showed up Langer and Ponting were at the crease. After a while, they announced a 50 partnership. Then a 100 partnership. Then a century by Langer. After that, the wickets started falling, so I got to see, somewhat briefly, the Waugh brothers. But Langer's century, which the local papers called "Bradmanesque", was my introduction to this majestic sport. So, good on ya', Justin. Enjoy your retirement. It's been a long and beautiful innings.