Age won’t be a factor for selectors regarding the playing future of Test opener Chris Rogers, Australia’s coach and selector Darren Lehmann says.
As always, the currency is runs.
Rogers has struggled against pace and spin on the low, slow pitches of the United Arab Emirates.
The 37-year-old opener has scored 88 runs at an average of 22 against Pakistan.
With a career average of 36.06 in 16 matches, the Victoria batsman is a realist.
Rogers has previously stated he’s only ever a couple of low scores away from having his head on the chopping block.
“You’d have to speak to the whole selection panel there,” Lehmann said on Sunday when asked about Rogers’ Test spot.
“From my point of view he’s had a good 12 months.
“You’re talking about age, but at the end of the day we want performances from all our batsmen regardless of age.
“He’d be disappointed with his output in the two Test matches.
“So again it’s going back to Shield cricket and getting some runs and then see whether he’s in Brisbane or not.”
Australia host India for a four-Test series starting in Brisbane on December 4.
Mitchell Marsh in his debut series has put himself in the frame for the Brisbane Test after hitting 87 in Australia’s first innings of 261 in Abu Dhabi and reaching 26 not out at stumps on Sunday’s fourth day of play.
The likely return of fit-again Shane Watson in Brisbane gives Australia several options.
Lehmann says there’s no reason why Marsh and potential No.3 Watson can’t play in the same Test team.
Dumped No.3 Alex Doolan has been told by chairman of selectors Rod Marsh that his “clear route” to a Test recall is making big Shield scores for Tasmania.
Australia made the left-field move to put spin-bowling allrounder Glenn Maxwell into the No.3 role in Abu Dhabi in Doolan’s place.
Maxwell has scored 37 and four in his third Test, getting out to a wild attempted slog in the first innings.
“He played really well in the first innings until probably not a great shot,” Lehmann said.
“He didn’t achieve the runs we would have liked.
“We’ve just got to get back to Australia and work out what our best six is.”
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
The mammoth rise of Jake Fraser-McGurk - his enormous potential and the destructive shot-making that he possesses makes him a very tempting option.
Marcus Stoinis produced his first IPL century and it was a beauty. He went 6, 4, 4, 4 to finish off the Lucknow Super…
Xavier Bartlett has been permission to extend his cricketing education with a spell of T20s in England, playing in the Blast competition for Kent…
Three-Test spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has signed with Tasmania in a bid for red-ball game time ahead of Australia's tour of Sri Lanka next summer.…
Last week, you read about the Matt XI, a compilation of the best cricketers ever to represent the name Matt. And to be fair,…
The Aussie needed every centimetre of his height and reach to reel that one in!
