It's hard to believe, but only four months ago Justin Langer's Test career looked as though it may be coming to an end.

After sitting out the first four Tests of Australia's Ashes Tour, Langer described in his BBC Sport Online column just how low he was feeling.

"Dropped from the Test team, struggling to score runs against the county attacks and basically feeling down and out, with the world against me," he wrote.

Opening the batting alongside Matthew Hayden, Langer made an immediate impact.

A superb knock of 102 was only halted by a bouncer from Andy Caddick that saw the Australian taken to hospital.

But Langer could not hide his joy after excelling when the pressure was on - when his career was on the line.

"I enjoyed every second of it and felt I could have batted all day - this innings could change my entire career," he said.

So it proved as Langer carried that form into the Test series with New Zealand on home soil, making 104 in the first Test and 123 in the second.

And in the much-hyped series with South Africa, Langer took command on the opening day with a stunning innings of 116 that he described as his "best ever".

He also threatened to damage his astonishing first class average of in excess of 50 with some poor performances with the bat.

After being snubbed for the first four Tests he was at an all-time career low.

Langer's triumphant return at the Oval capped a remarkable turnaround in the left-hander's fortunes.

Even the most hardened Australian would have forgiven Langer for putting his bat away for the English summer to hone his blossoming writing skills.

It had, after all, been a largely forgettable tour with the bat for the 30-year-old. But, as a quintessential team man, Langer was desperate to make his mark.

Finally given another chance in Aussie colours, he outshone all his team-mates and England at the Oval to retrieve a fast diminishing international career.