Langer is a tough little customer. He received a late call to play in his first Test, coincidentally at the Adelaide Oval, to replace his mate Damien Martyn against the West Indies. Bruised and battered he was never bowed by Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and company and made a fifty on debut as Australia failed by one run to beat the (then) unbeatable Caribbean marauders.

He was the right man for that occasion, just as he was the ideal player for a mid-40 degree day when all but the mentally strong wilted in the Adelaide heat. Langer has a black belt in the martial arts and he would have been as grateful for the mental side of his training as the physical, when dehydration and cramps were vying for portions of his mind that must be solely focused on the difficult job of batting. However, balancing the mental and physical is something Langer finds easy on the field, as one opposing Sheffield Shield bowler will attest.

This bowler became so annoyed with Langer's presence at the crease, he offered to ``see you behind the pavilion after stumps''. ``I'd like that,'' was the only reply Langer needed to subdue the bullying fast bowler. He also subdued England with subtlety - not by bulging his muscles and threatening hefty blows, but by placement, working the ball into gaps and driving himself relentlessly towards the magical three-figure mark.

When he reached the coveted century, he had just enough energy left to jump a couple of centimetres off the ground and punch the air - the only physical threat that this cricketer is ever likely to offer on the field.

Langer is not the ideal No 3, as he does not dominate an attack the way a Ricky Ponting could, but you could never question his courage. He will never take a backward step, unless he is looking to play one of his favourite horizontal bat shots, and his every action is aimed at improving the position of his team.

While he may be batting too high in the order, he was in the right place on a stinking hot day in Adelaide, and Australia can thank Langer for their position of slight superiority.