Chris Rogers’ 16 Test matches should be extended when Australia face India in the first of a four-match Test series at the Gabba, starting on December 4.
Rogers has been under scrutiny following his recent performances in the United Arab Emirates, averaging only 22 for the two-Test series, particularly from Brendan Julian and Robert Craddock on Inside Cricket following his dismissal in the second innings of the Abu Dhabi Test.
Julian was adamant that he could not see Rogers playing the first Test at the Gabba, claiming that the Ashes in England was too far away for Rogers to still play, and that Australia need to blood young talent.
However, there are many reasons why Rogers should be picked for the Indian series.
Before this Test, Rogers had scored 38 and 43, averaging 40.5. He had batted for more time than Alex Doolan and Michael Clarke combined, and formed a strong opening partnership of 128 with David Warner. Rogers’ partnership with Warner has also worked well for Australia, with the Victorian and New South Welshman having five 100-run opening stands in the 13 Tests that they have opened with each other, which is a fantastic record.
Breaking this partnership and replacing Rogers with a player such as Phillip Hughes or Shane Watson, whose approach and styles are similar to Warner’s, may be catastrophic. Warner and Rogers have worked so well together due to the fact that Warner will attack and Rogers will support, and knock them around. Replacing Rogers with a player similar to Warner could cause early wickets to fall, and put Australia in a dire position early on.
It is no coincidence that Rogers and Warner are close to having a century-strong opening stand almost every second Test match. To break that up would not be smart.
Of course, Rogers just supporting Warner does not justify Test selection, and he needs to score runs. But his score of 81 combined for the match in the first innings was more than Alex Doolan, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh and Brad Haddin.
In fact, Rogers’ score of 38 and 43 was the second highest in the first innings and third highest in the second innings for the Australians. This is not meant to say that the others should be dropped ahead of Rogers, but to say that one Test failure should not account for someone being dropped.
Darren Lehmann has told Rogers, as well as all the other Australian batsmen, that the way for a guaranteed selection is runs.
Rogers obviously needs a hundred to justify his appearances in the baggy green, and he should be given the opportunity to score one.
Runs are gold, and Rogers will look to score a big hundred in the upcoming Shield matches for Victoria against the Tigers, the Redbacks and the Warriors to put enormous pressure on the selectors to retain him for the first Test of the Australian summer.
Chris Rogers is a fighter, expect him to fight for his Test position to remain at the top of the order with David Warner.
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.
Heartbreak for Scotland and Chris Sole!
When Glenn Maxwell was comprehensively bowled by a sensational delivery from Mark Watt, Scotland seemed on the verge of their greatest victory ever. Needing…
Boy, will England hate seeing that!
It was one of Australia's six drops for the innings as Scotland made 5-180.
While the second one was a little tricky, the Aussie skipper should have taken the other two.
