Somerset skipper Langer linked with Middlesex coaching role

Somerset captain Justin Langer could be offered a coaching role at his former county Middlesex.

The Australian is out of contract at Taunton this autumn and no new deal has been put on the table by the club.

Langer played for Middlesex between 1998 and 2000 alongside the Lord's club's managing director of cricket Angus Fraser.

Middlesex need a new coach after Toby Radford resigned mid-season complaining that his role had been changed.

Langer is known to have loved his time at Lord's and is believed to have a long-term desire to enter coaching with a view to one day taking charge of Australia.

The left-hander recently said that this was 'likely' to be his final season as a player, although he has not confirmed he will retire after the Champions League in India next month.

Langer was ruled out of the current Championship match with Lancashire at Taunton with an arm injury but he watched on as Craig Kieswetter smashed a career best 153 to dominate Somerset CCC's 557-8 declared.

In reply Lancashire are 87-2, still 126 runs behind the hosts with a day to play.

Kieswetter has taken eight catches in the match so far – one short of the all-time club record held by, among others, Rob Turner.

The 21-year-old wicketkeeper, who qualifies for England in February, insists he would turn down any call up from South Africa, the country of his birth.

"I have no interest," he said. "I left when I was 18. For the first 18 years of my life I was chosen by my folks to live in South Africa and when I turned 18 I decided I wanted to live here and make my career here just for the opportunity and fairness of opportunity compared to the policies that are happening in South Africa.

"There is a lot of talk about SA coming back but even if they did I love playing here at Somerset and I love living here and I have no interest in going back there.

"I would love to play for England but it is all about consistent performances. (Matt) Prior has got it and there are a couple ahead of me in the pecking order but hopefully I can be consistent and get selection somewhere along the line.

"Prior's success has spurred me on. His keeping has improved quite a bit. He is really catching the ball nicely and I had a chat with (James) Foster when he was down here this week with Essex and there seems to be a good rivalry at the moment with all the keepers trying to push for the top spot.

"Prior rightfully has got it and he has slipped into the side nicely but there is the Lions to go for and winter camps and I just want to keep stepping up the ladder.

"It would be an awesome achievement to get there but I am just trying to keep my feet on the ground."