Justin Langer has paid tribute to former Australian captain Steve Waugh for the enormous influence he had upon his career after the left-hander announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday.
The 36-year-old said Waugh played a pivotal role in helping turn his career around from being on the cusp of Test selection to becoming one of Australia's finest opening Test batsmen.
Similarities in the playing styles between Langer and his former captain led many to nickname him 'Mini-Tugga'.
"Everyone knows I got sometimes criticised for my public affection to Tugga (Waugh) but you know Tugga is the sort of bloke I'd stand in the trenches with," Langer said on Monday.
"He gave me so much support throughout my career and I'm eternally thankful to him, we'll be friends for life."
The West Australian, who will play his final Test match in Sydney, offered a similarly glowing tribute to current captain Ricky Ponting.
"It's the same with Ricky, he's the sort of bloke I'd stand in the trenches with and you can't give another man a bigger compliment," he said.
"Ricky is, besides Sir Donald Bradman, the best batsman we've produced, he's been an enormous support for me and as I say, he like Tugga and a few of the other guys in this team, we'll be friends for life."
In addition to praising his captains, Langer said he was honoured to have had the opportunity to play alongside many modern champions of Australian cricket.
"I've played in an incredible cricket team and it's been a blessing to play in [the Australian] cricket team," he said.
"I've had the privilege of playing with Shane [Warne], Glenn [McGrath], Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Steve and Mark Waugh, David Boon, Craig McDermott, Allan Border, to have had the privilege to play with those guys has been enormous."
"I know I will retire from this game having played with some guys who will retire as the all-time great players of this era but also all-time great players in the history of the game."
"It's no wonder I've been able to learn from and have some success personally along the way."
