Aus v Leics: Day two report

Langer was one of three Aussies to get into triple figures, with Damien Martyn and skipper Ricky Ponting the others.

"It was a superb performance. To score that many runs and to bowl so well is a very good start to our Ashes campaign.

"That is what these games are about, and it has been a perfect preparation so far," Langer said.

Australia closed on 582-7 in reply to the county side's 217.

Langer, playing hs first competitive knock for more than three months, was not concerned about being ring-rusty ahead of the Ashes.

He made 115 off 169 balls, with Ponting's 119 and Martyn's 154 not out capping a great day for Australia.

"I have been waiting a long time to start playing cricket again, and it is always nice to get in the habit early of making runs," he said.

"I hope that can continue. A lot has been made of how little cricket I have played before the Test matches.

"But I have been playing cricket for a long time and I know my game very well."

Langer singled out under-fire paceman Jason Gillespie, who returned 2-40 on the opening day, for praise.

Gillespie has not been at his best so far on tour and it is thought his Test spot could be under threat.

"I thought the way Jason bowled was excellent - as good as I have seen from him for a long time," Langer said.

"It is a pretty ominous sign for any English batsmen that he is taking the ball away from the bat again."