![]() If 2013 enabled Rogers to get his feet under the Test table, the Australian summer that followed saw him feasting hungrily on the treats now available to him. By the time he made his 110 against England, Rogers had already scored 60 hundreds and 20,000 runs in first-class cricket but, until 2013, had always found himself behind others - like Phil Jaques, Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes and Shane Watson - in the Test opening queue. It was a fighting innings in difficult, seaming conditions and suggested that Rogers could play an important role for Australia for some time to come. Their 'new' opener added some much-needed resolve to the batting line-up - and at Chester-le-Street became the second-oldest man to score a maiden Test century for Australia, behind the 37-year-old Arthur Richardson in 1926. ![]() Given his familiarity with English conditions - having played for four first-class counties - and his consistency at the top of Middlesex's order in recent times, picking "Buck" Rogers made perfect sense.ĭespite losing the series, Australia laid good foundations for what was to follow just a few months later. Not bad for a 36-year-old and confirmation that, in cricket at least, "never say never" is a phrase worth remembering.Ī prolific run-scorer at state and county level for 15 years, left-handed opener Rogers was the right man in the right place at the right time when Australia decided they needed a dollop of experience, rather than more youthful promise, for the 2013 Ashes series in England following the retirements of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. ![]() Yet, by early 2014, he had not only added another dozen caps to the single Baggy Green awarded six years earlier but also played a full part in two Ashes series, including the 2013-14 whitewashing of England. Before the start of that series, Rogers had announced that it would be his last series wearing the baggy green.Life membership of the one-Test club seemed a certainty for Chris Rogers, especially when he came close to losing his Cricket Victoria contract in 2012 with the state keen to look to the future. His partnership (284) with Steven Smith ensured Australia leveled the series 1-1. He also recorded his highest Test score in the second Ashes Test at Lord's in 2015. The opener rated his hundred at the SCG against England as one of his best, he said \"as well as I have ever played.\" He continued to rack up runs at will as he amassed nine fifty plus scores in 11 innings. He was also the leading run-scorer over the two Ashes series. Before scoring his first Test hundred, Rogers had 60 first class centuries and over 20000 first class runs. In the 2013 Ashes, Rogers became the second oldest Australian to score a maiden Test ton when he reached the landmark at Chester-le-Street. Nonetheless, his second home coming was a better one. His first Test was against India in 2008, where he replaced an injured Matthew Hayden and made 4 and 15. Rogers returned to the Test side after a gap of 6 years. Playing for Leicestershire, Rogers scored 56 and 219 versus the touring Aussies. He even had the opportunity to score a double ton against his own country in 2005. Rogers is a regular in the county circuit since 2004 and has represented Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Middlesex. His experience of playing county cricket for four different teams came in handy. But when Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey retired, the selectors wanted some one experienced when Australia toured England for the 2013 Ashes. Rogers had to wait patiently as some of the younger players like - Phil Jaques, Simon Katich, Ed Cowan, Phillip Hughes and even Shane Watson were tried before him to fulfill the opener's slot. He doesn't have the flashy, aggressive or eye-catching game, but his patience, grit and self-confidence makes him stand out. The left-handed opening batsman is a typical Test opener. ![]() However, a change in fortune or a change of policy from the Australian selectors saw Rogers return to the side. Christopher \"Buck\" Rogers had almost finished his career with only one Test to his name. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |