Langer joins chorus for tough contests
Justin Langer shares a rare record with Don Bradman in being the only batsmen to play in at least five Ashes series and score a century in each one of them.
And like the game's greatest batsman, whose hard-nosed approach to the game's oldest rivalry prompted England's bodyline response, the WA coach believes an England team under pressure should be given no quarter.
That is why Langer relished the high-octane exchanges during the first Test when England cracked and then crumbled against Mitchell Johnson and Australia's destructive bowling.
"That's the way Ashes cricket should be played," Langer said after Australia triumphed in the Gabba slanging match.
"As long as it doesn't get personal, it should be played tough. Go back to bodyline and I am sure there were a few harsh words spoken. The only thing that has changed is there are a few more cameras and microphones now.
"Ashes cricket has been played tough as long as I have been watching.
"I remember watching Rodney Hogg bowling to Geoff Boycott and Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson bowling to England. That was tough, hard cricket."
Langer played in the five Ashes series from 1998-99 to his farewell in 2006-07, scoring a ton in each campaign and winning the Ashes in all but one of them.
Bradman played in eight Ashes series during a 20-year career and hammered England for 19 centuries, including two triples.
England won in his debut series in 1928-29 and four years later when bodyline was used to counter his remarkable impact but were otherwise ground down.
Langer is confident that Australia could take a stranglehold on the series at the WACA Ground next month if they finish the second Test in Adelaide with their 1-0 lead intact.
"It is a huge advantage being 1-0," he said.
"If they can stay on top of Alastair Cook, who is captain and an outstanding player, they could go into the third Test with a huge advantage.
"That will be at the WACA which suits Australia because it is back to its fast, bouncy best."
The pace was evident in last week's Sheffield Shield fixture when the ball rising above the wicket-keeper's head was a feature of the game.
"It was absolutely brilliant," he said.
"We have seen two great shield games here and it should be a sensational Test wicket."
