BREAKING: Chris Rogers to retire

Brendan Bradford
and others
• 3 min read
Rogers

Rogers, who had hinted that this would be his last tour, confirmed to coach Darren Lehman and the rest of the team that he would be stepping aside after Australia's disappointing Ashes campaign.

Rogers has been Australia's leading run-scorer this series but the left-hander, who suffered a series of worrying blows to the head recently, said it's time to leave the game.

He was forced out of two Tests in the Caribbean and experienced dizziness during the early stages of the Ashes tour.

The 38-year-old would have become the oldest Test player since Steve Waugh if he decided to play through to the end of the year.

“I think it is time, I have had an amazing couple of years playing for Australia and enjoyed it and been part of some pretty special things but everything comes to an end and I have been pretty lucky,” Rogers said.

“You are never 100% sure but I felt like this was the last one, there’s been a few things, particularly the head issues lately, I am quite happy to call it a day.

"People tell me you know when you know and I felt like this is the right time.”

Ahead of his swansong at The Oval, Rogers has played 24-Tests with an average of 42.86 and a highest score of 173.

Rogers made his Test debut in January 2008 in Perth against India, making 4 and 19 and wasn’t seen again in the Baggy Green until an Ashes recall in England in 2013.

Appearing in all five Tests in that losing series, Rogers averaged 40.77 and carried on the good form into the southern hemisphere summer and Australia demolished England 5-0.

His high-score of 173 was made in Australia’s dominant second Test performance this Ashes Tour at Lord’s and he’s averaged 62.42 as his teammates struggled around him.

 

Author(s)
Brendan Bradford