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.”
Don Freo
Guest
Burns is opening the batting but he is really a 3,4 or 5. Let Hughes have his next go.
Don Freo
Guest
He'd be the 37th picked...maybe 38. Way down. Now, if we looked at Adam Voges...
VivGilchrist
Guest
Not a bad top 6 but Haddin, Starc, and Lyon should no longer be in the XI if form counts for anything,
Nic
Guest
Hussey is 37, was terrible last year, struggles with bounce and is playing part-time for Victoria this year as he is coaching their young batsmen Other than that, you may have a point
jammel
Guest
Interesting you put Smith at #4 and Pup at #5. I've asked before for people's thoughts on Clarke at #5 or #6 - what do people think about Pup dropping down the order a la Border in the latter stages of his career?
jammel
Guest
For me, the top six for the first Test versus India should be: Rogers Warner Hughes Clarke Smith Khawaja But, as we know, the selectors are wedded to a medium-paced "all rounder". So that means they'll make room for Watson or Mitch Marsh. Given his recent batting, it would be hard to drop Mitch Marsh. So I think it is likely we'll line up as follows: Rogers Warner Hughes Clarke Smith MMarsh Rogers is indeed under pressure. But with Khawaja and Hughes both ready to go, I wouldn't be fussed if they were both to play in the top three with Warner. Rogers certainly deserves another 2 or 3 Tests though. Watson needs big Shield runs - or at the absolute minimum three or so Shield games to _prove_ his fitness. I have a strong preference to avoid playing both MMarsh and Watson. Neither, in my view, are in our top five Test batsmen. Hughes needs to start. If for some reason he loses form, or isn't picked, then Khawaja is a must.
jammel
Guest
Couldn't agree with you more Egg Plunder. Maxwell shouldn't be near the Test XI…there are many better qualified batsmen around including of course Hughes and Khawaja. You couldn't have chosen two better innings to represent Maxwell's failings in Test cricket, I don't think :) We don't need X factor, we need big runs. Maxwell can return, if and only if on the strength of masses of Shield runs. T20 and ODI runs aren't relevant.
Celtic334
Guest
I actually think our opener options are the weak link. Not much depth. I'm a big Hughes fan, but on the sub continent he would be very ineffective as his ability to play spin is terrible. Warner - obvious choice Watson - solid performer, offers a few overs with the ball. Khawaja - he has the best technique in the domestic game. At no.3 we can have someone equally adept at spin and pace. Been in amazing form just seems to have a mental block. Deserves a long run in the team like others have been given. Smith - solid against pace and spin. Would rather him at 4 than 6 as his weakness seems to be against reverse swing, coming in earlier will lessen the likelyhood of facing against the full impact of reverse. Clarke - seems to just play better at 5, he might just like the anchor role. Aka. Steve Waugh. M marsh - talent galore. Most promising all rounder in a long time. Haddin - wanted to put someone else in here but the others just aren't good enough. Johnson - obvious choice. Good lower order Starc - offers a good option for swinging conditions. Reasonable lower order bat Harris - obvious choice Lyon - had a poor series but still the best spinner in the country. Has preformed well in recent series prior. This team has several bowling options. Not much of a tail, which makes up for our lack of out and out superstar batsmen (except Clarke and maybe Warner). Good mix of youth and experience so we don't get the same issue had 10years ago when everyone retired in a short period. Siddle needs some beef.
matth
Guest
I'm leaning towards: Warner Hughes/Burns Watson Clarke Smith Marsh With Khawaja next cab off the rank, depending on early season form.
matth
Guest
Agreed. The time for Hughes is here ... unless Burns in QLD continues his great form opening, in which case he could come into calculations as well.
matth
Guest
He actually had a really poor season last year. Has started well this season though.
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Whilst I fully expect Watson to come back in at number 3 for the series against India his selection presents a problem. Australia must groom a young player for the number three position in the long term. The best way to do that is to pick that player at number six and allow him to settle and find form. Just as Ricky Ponting played 40 or 50 tests at number six before moving to number three. If Watson is able to bowl then he fills that all-rounder role and allows for the selection of a specialist batsman at number six. If he is not able to bowl then it is clear that an all-rounder, most likely Mitchell Marsh, will be selected at six to provide the team with the balance of a fifth bowling option. There is one other option and that is to promote Steve Smith to number three in the short term. He may be able to provide that fifth bowling option aswell, although a seamer would be preferred in Australia and against the Indians. Again this would allow a long term number three prospect to be blooded down the order. Watson's being able to bowl is key to his selection.
Egg Plunder
Guest
Mate I couldnt agree more Why Maxwell is in the TEST side is beyond my thinking.....its such a slap in the face to the other test batters waiting in the wings....Hughes and co selectors are purely just a bunch of daddies and yum-yums.....really need to get our side sorted before December aka. 4 weeks time! Come to think of it the selectors represent a good portion of Australia society namely; chubs, subs, daddies, doms, twinks, bears and the odd otter Thoughts?
Egg Plunder
Guest
Hoping that Mitchy Marsh makes a big score tonight to give him condifence vs India in December......a similar breed to the Pakistan side...namely in the bowling, sledging and pungent odour department I sincerly think he can score big all summer, given the chance Who will be Australia's highest scorer and biggest scorer? Clarke will do jack all this Summer Smith is a big chance to tonne up or even dubble tonne up What say you all?
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
They got exactly what they should have expected from Maxwell. Slogged his way to 30 off 20 balls and then got out trying to keep slogging, then didn't get that far in the second innings. Interesting how in a situation where Pakistan dominated Australia by largely being quite patient at least in the first half of their innings, Australia decide the way to improve is to pick a slogger at #3.
Egg Plunder
Guest
Give Rogers the flick and toss Hughes into the opening position for the test series against the Patels in December Gauranteed he and Warner will pump them back to Mumbai Rogers will be dismissed by Sharma within 2 overs, guarenteed! Thoughts?
Chris
Guest
If they truly don't care about age then David Hussey has to be first picked.