Knockout blows and fightbacks

January 1993 - At 22, he replaces his Western Australia team-mate Damien Martyn in the Australia team and makes his Test debut in the famous one-run loss to West Indies at Adelaide. He was hit on the helmet by an Ian Bishop bouncer but made 54 in the second innings.

June 1993 - Dropped for the 1993 Ashes tour as Australia decide to give Michael Slater his chance as opener and bump David Boon down to take Langer's No. 3 spot.

May 1997 - Plays the last of his eight one-day internationals. Despite a strike-rate of 88, he appears to be pigeon-holed by the selectors as a Test-only player.

October 1998 - Having added only three more Tests to his initial run of five, is recalled to the No. 3 position for Australia's tour of Pakistan. Begins with a first-ball 0 but confirms his place in the side with 116, his maiden Test century, in the second match of the series.

December 1998 - Scores his first century on Australian soil, making an unbeaten 179 against England at Adelaide. His Man-of-the-Match performance helps Australia take a 2-0 lead in the series.

November 1999 - Together with Adam Gilchrist, rescues Australia from a seemingly unwinnable position at Hobart. They join forces at 5 for 126 and drive Australia to victory chasing 369 against Pakistan. Langer's 127 earns him another Man of the Match award.

November 1999 - Follows up Hobart with his first century at his home ground at Perth. He is named Man of the Series after his 144 helps Australia to an innings victory.

January 2000 - Makes his maiden Test double-century, finally falling for 223 against India at Sydney, setting Australia up for an easy win.

July 2001 - Dropped for the first Ashes Test in England as Ricky Ponting is promoted to No. 3. Returns to the side as an opener for the last Test of the series, scoring 102 but retiring hurt after another severe blow to the helmet, this time from Andy Caddick. The match marks the beginning of his successful partnership with Matthew Hayden.

November 2001 - Earns a Man-of-the-Series award against New Zealand after centuries in consecutive Tests at Brisbane and Hobart.

December 2002 - After a lean patch makes his highest Test score, 250, in the Boxing Day match against England as Australia take a 4-0 series lead.

November 2004 - Passes 200 for the third time, scoring 215 against New Zealand at Adelaide to lead Australia to a 2-0 series win.

December 2004 - Narrowly misses adding his name to the list of players with a century in each innings of a Test when, at his home ground against Pakistan, he makes 191 and 97.

September 2005 - Finishes the losing Ashes series as Australia's best batsman, scoring 394 runs at 43.77 when all the other Australians failed to average above 40.

April 2006 - Becomes the tenth man and first Western Australian to play 100 Tests for Australia but spends most of the game on the sidelines at Johannesburg after retiring hurt thanks to a nasty hit on the helmet first ball from Makhaya Ntini. Against doctors' order, he bravely prepares to bat in the second innings but is not required as Australia win with eight wickets down.

November 2006 - Helps Australia get away to a dream start in their bid to regain the Ashes, making 82 and 100 not out in the team's big win at Brisbane.

January 1, 2007 - Announces he will join Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in making the Sydney Test against England his last appearance for Australia.