Justin Langer rewrites record books by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	County Ground, New Road, Worcester
Scorecard:	Worcestershire v Somerset
Player:	JL Langer, DG Bradman, JL Langer

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DateLine: 23rd July 2009

 

Justin Langer has surpassed the legendary Sir Don Bradman and became Australia's leading run-scorer in first-class cricket, while compiling his second century of the season, and 86th in total, during Somerset's County Championship clash with Worcester at New Road.

 

Langer, 38, took 20 minutes to score the six runs he needed - having resumed on 89 on the third morning of the rain-hit match against Worcestershire. He went past the milestone with a cover-drive for four off Matt Mason from the ninth ball he faced. Langer, now in his 18th year in first-class cricket since making his debut for Western Australia, reached the milestone in his 615th innings compared to only 338 by the great Bradman.

 

Langer's achievement serves as a reminder of the class and experience that Australia have lost in recent seasons. He retired from Test cricket at the end of the Sydney Test in 2006-07, after helping to wrap up an Ashes whitewash, while he was Australia's stand-out batsman in the 2005 series as well, top-scoring with 394 runs at 43.77 in five Tests.