Justin Langer inducted into Australian Hall of Fame

Erstwhile Test opener and current Australian head coach, Justin Langer has been inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame alongside former fast bowler, Raelee Thompson, who is also revered as an apostle of Australian women’s cricket.

Justin Langer thrived at the top of the Test innings where his partnership with Matthew Hayden allowed Australia to build a lion’s share of their Test success. In a glittering career, Justin Langer managed to garner 7696 runs next to his name at an average of 45.27.

Post his playing days, Langer took care of the domestic sides as a coach before finally making the cut for the national team, succeeding Darren Lehmann in the wake of the ball-tampering saga in Newlands. Under Langer, Australia have reached the semis of the 2019 World Cup and also have retained the Ashes in front of a hostile English crowd. The latest feather in his cap is the 4-0 shellacking that was imposed upon England in Australia.

Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chairman, Peter King quoted, “Justin's contribution to Australian cricket spans across four separate decades. First as a player, as part of one of the most successful teams that world cricket has ever seen. As a coach, he entered the role at a time of great need and leads the Australian Men's Cricket Team with great distinction, a team which the Australian public is very proud of."

Todd Greenberg, the CEO of the Australian Cricketer’s Association and a member who supervises the inductions into the hall of the fame, recounted the contributions of Langer to Australian cricket saying, “Justin's record as a player speaks for itself. His record as an opener underpinned one of the most successful eras of Australian cricket. And his influence on the game has extended beyond his playing career - firstly through his commitment to the betterment of Western Australian cricket which is almost unparalleled, right through to the national team set-up which has convincingly held the Ashes on the back of winning the T20 World Cup for the first time.”

The committee also honored the remarkable efforts of Raelee Thompson under whom Australia managed to reclaim the Ashes after an endless wait of 30 long years. Thompson was a part of the sport for 13 long years from 1972 to 1985, starring in 16 Test matches and 23 ODIs. She was also the oldest player to claim a fifer at the ripe age of 39 years and 175 days.

She finished her career on a high that saw her bagging 57 Test wickets at a fine average of 18.24 and 24 ODI wickets at an average of 18.66. After her cricketing career was over, she mentored future generations of female cricketers at Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club. She was also offered life membership by Cricket Victoria in 2018 to honor her services to the state.

King said, “Raelee is similarly a deserved induction, given her outstanding contribution to the game at a time where there was little fanfare at the elite level. She is no doubt one of our great pioneering female cricketers and represented the Baggy Green with such distinction - she is a worthy recipient of this recognition.”

“Raelee is an ambassador and ornament to the Women's game and was part of a team of trailblazing women - including four games as captain - who can be credited for the success that the current-day Australian Women's Cricket Team enjoys. Raelee's commitment to the betterment of women's cricket at all levels through mentoring and administration roles is inspiring,” added Greenberg.

Greenberg concluded by saying, “To this day she remains a prominent figure in cricket, particularly at Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club where she is a Life Member. She is hugely deserving of her induction.”