Langer to leave Somerset

Somerset captain Justin Langer has confirmed he will not return to the club after the current season.

The 38-year-old former Australia opener's decision will bring an end to a four-season stay at the south-west club.

Since then the veteran of 105 Tests has been a key factor in helping Somerset improve from LV County Championship Division Two also-rans to vying for the top-flight title during the past two seasons.

Langer's last appearances for the county will come at next month's Champions League in India, which Somerset qualified for after reaching the final of this year's Twenty20 Cup.

"I am very proud of what we have achieved as a team over the last few years," Langer said in a statement.

"We have proved that organisation, teamwork, talent, vision and discipline are the most important factors when competing on the field."

"My family and I have greatly enjoyed our time in Somerset, where we have been made to feel incredibly welcome. While it is tough to let go of my playing ties with Somerset, I feel the time is now right for me to move on to the next phase in my career."

Langer left the door ajar for a possible move elsewhere, although he admitted he may yet decide to call time on a first-class career that began with Western Australia back in the 1991/92 season.

He added: "I have not yet decided where or what that might be and I will take some time out to decide which route I wish to take, either within cricket or in following my other life pursuits."

During his time at Somerset, Langer has also enjoyed personal success scoring a club-record 342 against Surrey at Guildford in his first season, while he became Australia's highest ever run-scorer in first-class cricket earlier this summer when he surpassed 28,000 runs. He currently has 86 first-class hundreds.

"JL's contribution as a player and captain will mark him down in club history as one of our most outstanding performers," Somerset chief executive Richard Gould said.

"His direction and determination has allowed the club to reinvent itself as one of the top performing clubs in English cricket."

"His personal example has allowed many of our younger players to blossom, and his legacy will evident for years to come."

The county's director of cricket Brian Rose added: "I have been privileged over the years to have been involved with many great overseas players at Somerset - including Viv Richards, Greg Chappell and Sunil Gavaskar."

"JL is right up there with them in terms of the progression he has achieved for the club in the last three years."