Langer just the man

Brian Rose claims Justin Langer will be a "brilliant influence" on Somerset © Getty Images

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Director of cricket Brian Rose is confident Justin Langer will give Somerset the ruthless edge they have lacked in recent campaigns.

Langer will captain the county this season and Rose thinks the 36-year-old former Australia opener, who hit a magnificent 342 against Surrey last summer, could be one of the best in their history.

“Justin is a fiercely tough competitor and he will bring a real ruthless edge to the team,” Rose said.

“He’s got a wealth of experience with Australia at the highest level of the game and will be a fantastic leader for us in this campaign.

“He is one of the best around. His batting record speaks for itself and he showed us what he was capable of when he was here with us for six weeks last season.

“Justin is a real leader and will be a brilliant influence on some of the young players.”

Langer takes over from fellow Australian Cameron White, who stood in for the injured Ian Blackwell for most of last season.

Somerset finished bottom of the LV County Championship Second Division last year and were only one position better off in 2005, but Rose is optimistic that, under Langer, the team will be able to improve on recent campaigns.

“We now have a batting line-up which includes Langer, Marcus Trescothick, Cameron White, James Hildreth and Ian Blackwell,” said Rose.

“That is quite a formidable set of players and we’re confident after some good pre-season results of improving on last year.

“The bowling department has been strengthened as well with the arrival of Mark Turner, who had been unlucky with injuries at Durham.

“We’ve also brought in Ben Philips and Steffan Jones who will give us a bit of experience. Sam Spurway had a great season last year and we hope he will keep improving.”