What would you call a man who enjoys batting at number 3 for unarguably the best cricket playing nation, relished facing the likes of Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh on his test debut and went on to score a splendid 54, fields at silly point where getting hit has become such a regular feature that he doesn't even flinch now (atleast not before the opposition)? Well you could call him an angel. But I guess his family preferred Justin.

One could say that Justin Langer was born to play test cricket for Australia. He enjoys the pressure of batting at number 3." Many great Australian batsmen have batted at no 3 and to bat at that position is a great honour for me. I have opened at times for Western Australia but I like the no 3 position. It is a tough position. But I wouldn't want to bat anywhere else." His ability to concentrate sets him apart from other number 3 batsmen playing the game.

The cricketing fraternity fell under the 'Langer' influence after his breath-taking knock of 149 in the Sheffield Shield Final. "I was 20 then. It was a fantastic game and one of the best innings of my cricketing career. It was nice."

He has a very simple plan for this tour, "I want to win this series 3-0 and if I get to play a part in the win then it will be great. I always try to make a 100 everytime I walk out. I feel reasonably confident against India and the 115 in Nagpur did give me more confidence. However, I do wish that Kumble was playing the series…."

Following is an excerpt from an interview with this elegant stroke player:

1. Tell me about your debut. Both one-day and test.
My one-day debut wasn't anything much. I didn't even have to bat and I don't remember it that much. But my test debut was a dream come true. It was what I had worked towards my whole life. It was against the West Indies. It was great feeling. I really cannot define it.

2. It seems after that you went through kind of a lean patch and the test against Pakistan was going to almost decide your fate. What went through your mind when Steve Bucknor said 'not out' when Shoaib Akhtar appealed for an LBW?
Let me describe it like this- Imagine someone pushing your head below water and you struggling to come up for air. But you cannot since he's pushing your head down but then all of a sudden he let's go and you can breathe. Imagine that beautiful breath… Well it was exactly like that..

3. And that 127 against Pakistan in Hobart. You looked like a man out to prove something. Tell us something about that.
You could say that. There was mounting pressure form the media. I don't really let the media affect me but there was a lot of speculation too. There is also a very high level of cricket in Australia so you have to be on your toes constantly. And I wanted to perform and continue to play for Australia. So I just went out and gave it all I have.

4. 1999/00 has been a real turnaround for you, hasn't it? 4 centuries and against some of the best oppositions. Is this the real Justin Langer- someone who can clobber the best opposition?
The past 5-6 years of cricket have been very aggressive. I just go out and play my game. And if I clobber the opposition so be it.

5. Your average in both forms of the game is good. But is there any area that you would like to improve?
Definitely. I want to improve my test record a great deal. Nowadays you find players back home with test averages of 50 & 60. If I get to play test cricket for Australia for 3-4 years, I will be a very content man. I think test cricket is the ultimate and purest form of cricket. If in addition to test cricket I get to play the one-day games too, well that's just a bonus. But yes, I definitely want to improve my test average.

6. How was the experience of playing county cricket?
I think I know, now, why the English cricketers find it difficult to perform at the international level. When you have to play county cricket every single day, you don't have much left in you. I captained Middlesex for 3 seasons. It is a nice experience and the money is very good. However, with the Ashes coming up I won't be available for county cricket this approaching season.

7. You field at silly point. During the matches, you get quite a few knocks. Aren't you sore by the end of play?
I am. I get hit on my shoulders, back, knee, shin, ankle, everywhere. The other day when I got hit by Sachin it felt like a shotgun but then seeing Ricky catching it made it feel better. But then when you are up close you get to watch talented people like Sachin. He has a really heavy bat. It is a specialist position and I like it.

8. What happened on the field between Rahul Dravid & Michael Slater? Would you have left?
The whole incident was really unfortunate. Michael believed he caught it and wanted Rahul to take his word. But Rahul was justified in standing his ground. He had every right to do that. I wouldn't have left either. I think Rahul was perfectly within his rights.

9. What do you think sets Australia apart from the rest of the cricket playing nations? What is that one thing, according to you, that the Aussies have and the others don't?
We have a lot of experience and talent in our side. But if I have to name one thing, I would have to say the unity. We all follow our captain, Steve Waugh, and coach, John Buchanan. The preparation done is meticulous. We all are moving in the same direction following our leader and coach.

10. Now tell me something about you. You play for western Australia. Are you from there? Have you studied there also?
Yes I have always played for western Australia. I am from Perth. I got an Arts degree from the University of Western Australia.

11. Do you play any other sport? Any sports persons you really look up to?
I don't have that much time with so much cricket. But I do follow tennis, rugby. I picked up football while I was in England. I like Patrick Rafter, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. I draw a lot of inspiration from them.

12. Are you married?
Yes. I have two girls and we are expecting another baby in June.

13. What do you do for pleasure? Or during the off-season?
I am a strong family man and try and spend as much time I can with my family. The girls have their daddy wrapped around their little fingers. We have a house on the beach. I do some gardening and love my roses.

14. What do you think you would be doing if you weren't playing cricket for Australia?
I thing I would be a doctor. I love writing and write for some websites like BBC, Rediff and for Baggy Green. I write about the day-to-day happenings in the Australian cricket team. Its called 'Postcards from Justin Langer.'

15. And finally what is the one thing that you fear?
Failing. Yes, I think failing in cricket.