Former Australian Test cricketer Chris Rogers has announced his retirement from first-class cricket at the ripe old age of 39.
Rogers is going out on a high, having collected a century in each innings in Somerset’s final County Championship match.
The left-handed veteran helped Somerset to a 325-run victory over Nottinghamshire, which could deliver the club its first ever championship title, ending a 141-year wait in the process.
Rogers enjoyed an incredible Test career for Australia. His first baggy green came in 2008 against India at the WACA as cover for the injured Matthew Hayden. Australia were chasing a world-record 17th consecutive Test victory but failed to chase a target more than 400 against the tourists, and Rogers hardly set the world on fire in his debut. The left-hander managed poultry sums of four in the first innings and 12 in the second, and has his contract with Cricket Australia terminated as a result.
Like so many cricketers, Rogers’ performances improved with his age.
He earned his second Test cap five years later in 2013, at 35, as a specialist in English conditions for the 2013 Ashes tour and immediately became one of the squad’s core players.
Rogers collected his maiden Test century in the fourth Test and averaged over 40 throughout the series, becoming Australia’s third-highest scorer for the tour.
In the 2015 tour of England, Rogers collected his highest score (173) in the first innings of the second Test at Lord’s. Despite England winning the series, Rogers enjoyed the highest batting average for all players with 480 runs at 60 and was awarded Australian Player of the Series.
Over the course of his 25-Test career, Rogers drew admiration for his consistent top order batting, watchful technique, and defensive resolve. Rogers played an important role in keeping Australia competitive during a number of lean years and his partnerships with David Warner often got the side off to a strong start.
After announcing his retirement in late 2015, Rogers was given a lap of honour around his adopted home ground, the MCG.
Always a humble player, Rogers simply stated, “that’s it for me.”
“I have had a good career and to finish off that way is pretty special. I’m getting old. I am going to miss playing and the standing ovation from the crowd was very special, but it happens in all careers and it’s time to move on.”
Chris Rogers’ key stats
Five Test centuries for Australia between 2013-2015
Test high-score of 173
First-class high-score of 319 for Northamptonshire
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