Langer named Oz batting coach

Former Australian opener Justin Langer was on Monday appointed the national team's batting coach for the upcoming cricket season.

"Cricket Australia today announced that Australian Test legend Justin Langer will support the coaching of the Australia Test team this summer," CA said in a statement.

Langer will also help Tim Nielsen's coaching team in a mentoring capacity.

"Justin Langer will join the Australian Test squad and provide specialist skills in assisting the batters prepare for Test match cricket. He'll also develop plans to assist players cope with the rigours of the Test match game," CA's general manager (Cricket) Michael Brown said.

"We are thrilled to have a player of Justin's experience working with the Test team. Justin was renowned for his professional approach to preparation and his commitment to play for his country. He will help many young players as our team continues to develop," he added.

Langer played 105 Test matches with a batting average of 45.27 and retired from Test cricket in January 2007. He recently retired from first-class cricket with Somerset.

The former batsman captained Somerset for three years and helped them qualify for the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 tournament this year.

Langer said he was excited about the new job he has been handed.

"When CA approached me about this appointment, I felt privileged to be considered. I have been passionate about Australian cricket for many years so I am excited about playing a 'hands on' role in the continued development of the Test team, particularly in the batting and leadership departments," he said.

"Having just retired as a player I can think of no better apprenticeship in coaching than to work with Ricky and Tim and the Australian Cricket Team," he added.