Cricket News: Justin Langer has insisted he should not be held responsible for any possible decline in Australia's fortunes after becoming the fourth member of their star-studded line-up to announce his retirement.

The 36-year-old left-hander ended weeks of speculation about his future yesterday and will retire at the end of this week's final Ashes Test alongside the legendary Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

Their departures follow the shock retirement of Damien Martyn after the second Test and leaves Australia facing the massive task of replacing a third of their side for their next Test series against Sri Lanka at the end of this year.

It is similar void to that which was left when Greg Chappell, Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee retired simultaneously back in 1984, which Australia took years to recover from and prompted years of failure.

"Of course that's something that came into my thinking," admitted Langer, who has hit 23 centuries in his Test career spanning 104 matches. "But whoever I spoke to about this they kept saying I had to do what's right for me.

"That might sound selfish, but I've played 13 years and devoted everything to the Australian cricket team. When Ian Healy retired, one of our greatest wicketkeepers, Adam Gilchrist came in the next day and the rest is history.

"When Steve Waugh retired Ricky Ponting came in and is one of the best captains ever statistically speaking - life is going to go on.

"There is going to be a bit of a hole but we've got some great players around Australia, our domestic competition is strong and I'm sure the Australian cricket team will remain strong."

Langer forged one of the greatest opening partnerships in Test history with Matthew Hayden, scoring 5,575 runs between them in 63 Tests - a record which is second only to West Indian greats Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.

He was also part of the side that won a record 16 successive Tests, the first Australian line-up to win in India for many years and played a key role in regaining the Ashes with a match-winning century in the opening Test.

He is expected to be replaced by Phil Jacques when Australia resume Test cricket at the back end of 2007 while there are other emerging players competing to take over from McGrath and Warne to leave captain Ponting believing Australian cricket is set for an exciting future.

"I've never been worried about the selectors having to make some tough decisions because I thought it would all look after itself, especially if this summer went to plan," admitted Ponting .

"The timing is right for them and for me as captain it is a bit hard to cope with and a sad time right now, but it is going to be an exciting time in the next year as we see the emergence of some good young players."

Langer will see out the Australian season with Western Australia before returning to England where he will captain Somerset - for whom he enjoyed a highly successful five-week spell last year - during the 2007 season.

But like Martyn, Warne and McGrath, Langer conceded he just felt the time was right and is hopeful of a similar sense of release to allow him the freedom to enjoy his final Test at the SCG over the next few days.

"I didn't want to disrespect Warney and Glenn by retiring in this Test," he stressed.

"They are two of the all-time greats of the game, but I've seen how happy they have been as a result of their decision and how well they've played in the last two Tests.

"It was a very tough decision. There probably hasn't been a waking moment for the last 20 years when I haven't thought about playing Test cricket or wearing the baggy green cap so it's certainly going to be a different life for me from now on.

"But as hard as it is and as emotional as it is not to wear the baggy green cap again, I know in my heart it's the right thing to do. I know I'm at the top of my game.

"Statistically it hasn't been a great series but I know I'm hitting the ball well, I'm catching the ball as well as ever and I've probably never fielded or felt better physically. They say go out on your terms when you're on the top of your game and I actually feel like I'm doing that."