The attention of the crowd when Australia starts each innings this summer will be on David Warner – will he or won’t he come off with his derring-do against the Poms?
If he does, he will have Alastair Cook and his men on the back foot.
Yet, in many ways, the man at the other end may in fact be a bigger thorn in England’s side.
While he lacks the flair of the likes of Warner, what Chris Rogers brings to the top of the Australian order is a wealth of experience, a mountain of first class runs and a steely, never say die attitude.
It is that very attitude that saw his Test career reignited during the last Ashes series, some 67 months after his previous, and to that point, one and only Test appearance.
He began the series alongside Shane Watson, who gave way to Warner for the fourth Test.
Rogers’ international reincarnation produced 367 runs at an average of 40.8 – the highlight being a maiden Test century at Chester-le-Street.
The pugnacious left-hander, who has celebrated his 36th birthday since that series ended, applied all the wherewithal and match knowledge he had gained from a first class career that started in the 1998-99 season.
Rogers was aided no doubt by his long stints in County cricket, having turned out for Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Middlesex over the years.
He enters this Ashes series with a first class average of 49.98 from 252 matches, having amassed 20,795 runs with 63 centuries.
One of the curses that has beset Australian cricket of late – it was evident again during the last Ashes series – is batting collapses.
Gone are the likes of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, who for so long were able to sure up an innings when wickets started to fall.
Twice during the last Ashes campaign Australia suffered dramatic collapses.
In the opening encounter at Trent Bridge it found itself 9-117 in its first innings, yet remarkably lost the match by just 14 runs.
At Chester-le-Street, chasing 299 runs in the last innings, Australia was 0-109 before imploding to be all out for 224.
Both calamitous collapses effectively scuppered any prospect of reclaiming the little urn.
Rogers, by dint of technique and experience, can be the glue that holds the top order together this summer.
The likes of Warner and Watson will play their shots – they may succeed, they may not.
Either way, it is imperative Rogers does the hard yards.
Throughout his first class career he has displayed the ability to bat for long periods of time – his highest score is 319.
During the last series he always appeared comfortable against the quicks.
It was Graeme Swann who was his nemesis.
His off-spinners claimed Rogers’ wicket six times during the series – James Anderson picked him up twice and Stuart Broad the once.
There was little pattern to Swann’s dismissals of Rogers as he bowled him once, twice had him caught in the field, once caught behind and twice trapped him leg before – one of which will continue to show up on You Tube under the banner, ‘World’s Worst Dismissals’.
Reports are Rogers has been working solidly on ways to counter Swann, however he is likely to find that conditions alone this season will aid him.
England deliberately produced denuded and abrasive pitches during the recent series, aimed at providing a dual prong benefit – the ability to produce reverse swing early in an innings and to allow Swann to dominate the series from a slow bowling perspective.
By series’ end Swann was the leading wicket-taker with 26 at 29.0.
He may not find things as easy this time around given the far more verdant pitches and outfields he will encounter.
For Rogers, it may be a blessing.
Having shown he can handle the England pace attack with little trouble, should he conquer Swann as well, he could have a golden summer.
Hopefully, from an Australian point of view, he will occupy the crease for long periods without gifting his wicket.
If he can help reduce the possibility of top-order collapses he will go a long way to aiding his team’s goal of reclaiming the Ashes.
atgm
Guest
If aus lost the ashes again this should be last series for guys like watson johnny boy and the selectors!
ChrisUK
Guest
Seems obvious to me that he'd be best at number six and bowling. I am certain that would be how England would have used him. In that role his record suddenly looks a very good one.
Bearfax
Guest
Not disputing those comments Glenn and I respect the fact that former players are standing up for Watson. He certainly has a far better first class batting average than test batting average, so there's something there. But based on his test performances and a 36 batting average, there are at least half a dozen batsmen I feel in this country who would be better, if given the chance, to perform as a batsman only in our test team. Its an opinion. Its an opinion based on long term performances. I dont dispute the fact that Watson is a good batsman and can do some remarkable batting feats. But we have him in the Australian team because he is a fine all rounder, probably the best by a long shot at this stage in Oz. But I ask you, would you promote him to being a bowler only, if he couldnt bat. Dont laugh because his test and first class bowling averages arent that different from Siddle or Johnson, and in fact he has a better first class average than Johnson. But I certainly wouldnt , despite my respect for his bowling because despite his stats I dont think he's a front line bowler. He's a support bowler, a container. In my opinion what makes Watson a test player is the combination of his bowling and batting, both less than the best batsmen and bowlers in the country, but the contribution of both skills makes him a necessity in the team
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
I did say 'a' key Swampy and not 'the' key. Clarke is definitely Australia's best batsman, and on Test records, it is daylight second. But Rogers will be a key player this series.
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
So too will the selectors Jamesb. The perfect scenario for them would be another 15 or so months with Rogers at the helm as the likes of Silk and Maddinson get more first-class experience under their belt.
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
There are also a host of former players Simon like Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor and Ian Healy who see Watson as an opener. And in his autobiography, Ricky Ponting speaks quite glowingly of Watson as a batsman. So I guess it depends which camp you are in.
Bearfax
Guest
Well we'll see when the results come through wont we Simon regarding Watson. I would have him in the team as an all rounder, because he does enough with the bat and is an excellent containing bowler. But his batting figures dont justify his selection as a batsman only, despite his recent brilliant test century, his first in 47 innings and only his third in 85 innings. His 36 average is fine for an all rounder, not for a test batsman only in his mid 30s in age.. .
Simon
Roar Guru
Doolan is on the fringe, as you rightly point out Tim. No one else is really in with a shot for Test selection. Surely the selectors won't pick two more uncapped top order batsmen on the wrong side of 35 in Klinger and Cossy? Can't see it happening, Hookin'.
Simon
Roar Guru
Well the selectors and a whole host of players (past and present) disagree with you, i.e. Watson isn't in our top 6 batters. Agree with you on Rogers - he has the Job that Cowan could/should have made his own.
Hookin' YT
Guest
If my Auntie had been born with balls she'd be my uncle. We coulda, shoulda, woulda..,
Hookin' YT
Guest
Klinger (on county form) and Cosgrove. Doolan was a must pick for Bailey, it was a no brainer.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
"Gone are the likes of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, who for so long were able to sure up an innings when wickets started to fall." I think the sub-editor has been out on a binge with the Wobblies. "shore up an innings" is the spelling for wich Mr Maxwell is grasping. Aside from that, good read and makes the point the important point that if Swann had not been given such nice dusty tracks in England, Australia may have won the series given we were oh so close before calamity struck. Rogers was out 5 or 6 times to Swann - eliminate that and he averages in the 60s and we win the series.
Bearfax
Guest
For me Chris Rogers offers the role that Cowan should have assumed had he been able to score more heavily. He is the anchor of the top order, the batsman who will take safe runs and stick around and steady the ship if several quick wickets occur. He is also a prolific first class batsman with a 50 average, a rarity in Australia at the moment. Hopefully that ability will be translated to big test scores to get Australia off to a strong start, because in my mind there are two fragile batsmen in our six in Watson and Bailey and the other four I suspect are going to have to score big to compete with what is a strong and formidable batting group for England. I would retain Watson if he bowled but he's not a good enough batsman to hold a batsman only position.
Chop
Roar Guru
Ed Cowan could've done the same job I think, but I agree they need a steadying influence in the openers. Although in reality Simon Katich should still be there were it purely form based.
Swampy
Guest
I would have thought Clarke was the key - being our best player and all. If he fires, we will be hard to beat. If he is out injured or out of form then we will struggle. It is not a given that he will average 80 in the series and play every game. Clarke has the ability to raise his game above anyone else. Fairly key to our success I would have thought. It's a bit like saying Luc Longley was the key to the Chicago Bulls success from 96-98...
Matt
Roar Rookie
It is nth, not enth. As in: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...n. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th... nth.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Yes, but bar Bailey ( you can make a case for him through his leadership ) this is the best current top 6. For, there is no one else banging on the door. Maybe only Doolan
jamesb
Guest
I hope Rogers does well, not only in this Ashes series, but also for the next 12 months. If Rogers can stay in the side, it would then allow for the likes of Jordan Silk to come through in the SS.
Hookin' YT
Guest
We have good talent in the shield and sitting on the busted bowlers bench. All is not lost but 6 or so of this ashes XI are shite and the fact they are playing is grim Tim.
ChrisUK
Guest
Dunno. Reckon I said it for about 15 years Tim. And it was true! ;)