Langer dismisses fears of early retirement

Justin Langer has dismissed worries that the 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 bouncer at the Wanderers Ground in Johannesburg, then defying doctors' orders by shaping up to bat as Australia completed a 3-0 series cleansweep.

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 reconcussed in that short period of time.

"I still feel like I have got a massive hangover, I havn'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."

Nevertheless Cricket Australia's medical officer Trevor James told the Herald Sun that the risk of fatality was "extremely small, but not zero". James added that Langer will "need to have a full assessment to make sure he has fully recovered."

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," he 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.

He added that the Ashes contest, beginning in Brisbane on November 23, was a huge incentive to return.

Langer has been struck on the helmet several times in his international and first-class career - twice spending time in hospital - and on other occasions while fielding at short leg. Doctors have told him he cannot field at that dangerous position anymore.

A Cricket Australia spokesman refused to commit to whether team doctors and the captain had a legal responsibility to protect a player from harmful situations. "The safety and welfare of players is always of paramount importance. Cricket Australia continues to take this issue very seriously," the spokesman said. "While we are satisfied that existing processes have properly dealt with the issue regarding Justin ... [we] will continue to review the processes." He said there was no Australian doctor with the side but that a South African doctor and other specialists had advised Langer not to bat in the Test again.