It is Justin Langer's birthday.

There are many tales to tell, but this oft-recollected one gives me goosebumps even now.

Langer was playing his 100th Test, at Johannesburg in 2005-06.

South Africa were bowled out for 303 on the second morning.
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Ntini stood at his mark ten minutes. Langer took strike.

The stage was set for him to celebrate a landmark moment.

Ntini bounced. Langer ducked. The ball hit the back of the helmet.

Langer fell on the pitch. Hayden gestured towards the dressing-room, and they came rushing.
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Langer had to leave, blood clearly visible on his bare head. He needed two stitches.

But our story is not over.

At stumps on Day 4, Australia needed 44 with four wickets in hand. At the crease were Martyn and Lee.

Would Langer bat?
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"More unlikely than likely to bat," announced Australian media manager Philip Pope.

Hussey (who opened with Hayden in the fourth innings) was quite candid: "At the end of the day it is just a game of cricket, and he's got a lovely wife and four children at home."
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Boucher did not promise mercy: "We've got a Test match to win ... If that means bowling short balls at him, so be it,"

Martyn got to his hundred shortly after play went underway on Day 5. Then Pollock got him leg-before.

34 more.

Runs came in a trickle.
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Then Clark opened up. He dismissed Ntini through cover for two fours in four balls, both off back foot.

But Ntini's next ball was too quick for him.

Clark top-edged a pull and the ball ballooned up.

16 to get. Lee and Kasprowicz.
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The only man yet to bat was – Langer, for whom walking out to bat might have been life-threatening.

And yet here he was, padded up, ready to walk out at #11 if needed.

Typical.

Ponting knew there was only one way to stop Langer to risk his life. He made up his mind.
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He would declare the innings closed the moment the ninth wicket fell.

Thankfully, this time Lee and Kasprowicz pulled Australia through.

Even mortal peril was not a threat great enough to keep Langer off the pitch.