In a recent chat with an Australian media house, Australia head coach Justin Langer revealed how he almost quit international cricket back in 2001. Justin Langer shared his story of how he almost retired in 2001 when he was dropped from the playing XI before the first Ashes Test.

Australia’s then-No. 3 Langer was dropped from the team after scoring two half-centuries in his last 10 innings. Langer had failed to convert his starts and did not prove to be an important asset to the team back then. As Australia was gearing up to defend their Ashes title in England, Ricky Ponting was promoted to Langer’s then no 3 slot. Damien Martyn took up the vacant  No. 6 spot. Drooped from the team, Langer thought his Australia career has ended.

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Speaking with ABC, Langer said  “Literally, the week before I opened for the first time with Haydos, I told all my family I’m getting on a plane and leaving. I’m going home. I couldn’t make a run, I thought I’d failed. I’d never play for Australia again. I’d been dropped at the start of the series when I thought I was going to play.”

Having made up his mind to retire, Langer was shocked when the then captain Steve Waugh asked him to open the innings alongside Matthew Hayden in the fifth and final Test with Australia already leading the series 4-1.

“My wife had flown over because I was going to retire the week before. I was so down in the dumps … and out of nowhere, Steve Waugh rings me and says; ‘you’re going to open the batting tomorrow’,” he recalled.

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Opening the innings for the first time, Langer notched up 102 not out. “It was another great lesson. If you just hang in there, you never know what’s around the corner,” he said.  The Aussie team head coach has time and again mentioned how that series was the turning point in his career.