- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,200,748
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
'I'd have him in my team any day': Justin Langer calls retired Ben Stokes 'a nightmare to coach against' originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Australia legend Justin Langer paid a heartfelt tribute to Ben Stokes, calling him a nightmare to coach against.
- He recalled the 2019 Headingley defeat as the lowest moment of his coaching life.
- Langer said he would have the England all-rounder in his team any day of the week.
Justin Langer calls retired Ben Stokes 'a nightmare to coach against'
Ben Stokes' shock international retirement has drawn heartfelt reactions from across the cricketing world, but few have been as raw or as poignant as that of Justin Langer. The former Australia coach has penned a deeply personal tribute to a man who caused him immense professional pain.
Langer has seen his fair share of Ashes wins, having won it five times as a player between 1993 and 2007. He was also the coach of Australia during the 2019 Ashes, when Stokes produced one of the greatest innings in Test history.
His unbeaten 135 at Headingley sealed a miraculous one-wicket win, an outcome that has clearly haunted the Australian great ever since.
Watching Stokes' retirement unfold reopened those old wounds vividly. Yet in a beautifully written reflection, Langer moved from despair to something unexpected, ultimately delivering a glowing salute to one of cricket's fiercest and most inspirational competitors of all.
MORE: Sophie Molineux recreates Shane Warne's iconic beer bottle celebration after Australia Women's T20 World Cup win at Lord's
The wound that never healed
Langer began by revealing just how deeply the memory was seared into him. "2,501 days. That's how long it's been since Ben Stokes stood at Headingley and ripped the Ashes out of our hands. I counted. Because the number felt like it ought to mean something," he posted on LinkedIn.
The pain was reignited by chance. "Last Monday night, I was settled in front of the fire, glass of red in hand, not a care in the world. Then I flicked over to the final day of England's Test against New Zealand, and the broadcaster was replaying that 2019 innings. In an instant, my relaxed evening was gone," Langer recalled.
The specific agonies came flooding back. "The run-out Nathan Lyon couldn't quite gather. The panicked review that still turns my stomach. Stokes, plumb lbw, two runs required, no reviews left, and the umpire got it wrong. 135 not out. One wicket from the margin. Two days with the match in the palm of our hand, gone," he wrote.
His response that evening summed up the despair. "I sat alone that night with a Scotch. My wife FaceTimed and asked what I was doing. "Drinking Scotch," I said. "You don't drink Scotch," she replied. I do tonight," Langer revealed, before adding, "There has never been a lower moment in my coaching life."
MORE: Dinesh Karthik look-alike spotted with RCB's iconic 'banner' at FIFA World Cup
From disappointment to gratitude
Langer then turned to the news that had prompted his reflection. "And now Stokes has called time. Burnt out, in his own words, with no more fight left in me," he wrote, acknowledging the toll the game had taken on the England talisman.
What followed was a remarkable change in perspective. "Here's the strange part. The more I sat with it this week, the more I felt something closer to gratitude than disappointment," Langer admitted, reflecting on his week of processing the retirement.
He explained the philosophy behind that gratitude. "Because heroes are not built to last forever. That is precisely what makes the moments they give us matter so much," Langer wrote, framing Stokes' finite career as the very source of its magic.
His conclusion was the ultimate mark of respect from a fierce adversary. "Stokes was a nightmare to coach against and the very best of what this game of ours can be. I would have him in my team any day of the week," Langer declared, offering the highest praise imaginable.
MORE: Vitality T20 Blast 2026 schedule, points table and latest results
A tribute that transcends rivalry
Langer's words are a powerful reminder that sport's greatest rivalries are rooted in the deepest respect. For a proud Australian to so openly celebrate the man who inflicted his lowest professional moment speaks volumes about both Stokes' greatness and Langer's own character.
It also perfectly captures the essence of Ben Stokes' career. He was a player who thrived on the biggest occasions, defined by unforgettable, match-turning moments that transcended the result. In tormenting opponents like Langer, he gave the sport some of its most treasured memories.
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary, and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
Continue reading...
