Darren Lehmann has said Chris Rogers is not guaranteed a spot in the first Ashes Test at Cardiff on July 8.
Commenting in Jamaica earlier in the week before the team departed for the Ashes campaign, Lehmann said, “There’s no guarantee with anything at the moment.”
That may well be the case, but the absence of Rogers at the top of the order at the start of this Ashes series could prove a big problem for Australia.
While Rogers is by no means the most important player in the squad he is a vital cog, especially in English conditions.
The dour 37-year-old left-hander announced last month that the forthcoming series will be his last.
His build-up to the eagerly awaited series was quite literally dealt a blow when he was struck on the head by a net bowler two days out from the start of the first Test against West Indies in Dominica just over a fortnight ago.
The ongoing effects of the knock saw him miss both Caribbean Tests. He now has three weeks in England to show he is ready for the fight.
Rogers’ absence at the top of the order in the West Indies was filled by Shaun Marsh. Partnering David Warner, Marsh compiled scores of 19 and 13 no in Dominica, and 11 and 69 in Jamaica.
While Marsh has opened for Australia at both one-day and T20 level, doing so against the red ball in England is a whole different equation.
Rogers has shown his ability at the top of the order over a long and distinguished first-class career. He played his first 10 years domestically in Western Australia before moving to Victoria in 2008. In a 290-match first-class career he has amassed nearly 24,000 runs at an average of 49.7, scoring 72 centuries. A lot of those runs have been compiled in England during county stints with Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Middlesex and Northamptonshire.
In 2013, despite his involvement in the Ashes series, he amassed 1068 runs for Middlesex at an average of 56.2. Last year he scored 1333 runs in the county championship at 55.5.
He compiled an unbeaten 241 early in the 2014 season in a game that saw eventual champions Yorkshire lose its only match of the season. He ended the 2014 season with an unconquered 203 that secured Middlesex a position in the first division again this year.
Winding the clock back 10 years, he scored 209 for Leicestershire against Steve Waugh’s Ashes tourists – a team that included Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Stuart MacGill.
Australia’s biggest issue on recent Ashes tours has been an inability to counter England’s swing bowlers. The likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad will likely have a strong say this year as well.
While Anderson was off his game against the world number three New Zealand last month, Broad claimed 13 wickets at 25.4 in the two Tests.
Mark Wood, a 25-year-old right-arm quick, showed enough against the Black Caps in his debut series to indicate he will provide Australia with a bit to think about with his bustling pace – he hit 147km/h – and an ability to extract reverse swing.
It is often said that opening the batting at Test level is a specialist job and not one where you can throw in a relatively untried batsman. Shielding the upper and middle order against England must be a priority for Australia.
That said, Rogers is the best man to open the batting with Warner, who is coming off a lean time in the West Indies.
If Australia chooses a makeshift opener over the experience of Rogers, they may well regret it before the series is over.
Since being recalled to the Test side Rogers has averaged 41.0 across 20 Tests. Home and away against England in that time he has averaged 43.7 in 10 Tests and scored three of his four Test centuries.
Towards the end of last summer Rogers showed he can be expansive with the blade if required but it is his well-honed defensive qualities that should again come to the fore in a few weeks’ time.
Cutto
Guest
Spot on Glenn, Rogers has form in England, and should be given the nod, at least initially
Bearfax
Guest
Don, Shaun Marsh is a fine cricketer and I would never suggest he doesnt have talent. My view about him is that I think there are better options available. But I tell you one thing about Marsh's major flaw that sees his average lingering in the mid 30s. If he had Cowan's grittiness, and combined it with the undoubted batting skills Marsh possesses, he would be one of the very best. Cowan works within his limitations but his skill is to be dogged at the wicket and not easily give away his wicket. Shaun has I believe more natural talent than Cowan, but he seems to lack the doggedness factor that you see in Cowan as well as Smith, Clarke, Rogers, Voges, Border, Steve Waugh etc. He gets out cheaply too often because he doesnt seem to have that grit to stick it out when things are tough. No question that when he's on his game and his eye is in he's as good as anyone. But he lacks that grit and it shows in his averages. Has improved recently and I reserve judgement over the next year or two. But I dont think he's got the dour factor
Jarijari
Guest
Not sure Rogers is that dour Glenn, his Test strike rate of 48.65 is better than Marsh's 46.63, and only marginally less than Clarke's 50.66. It's just their batting styles that suggest otherwise. Anyway if Rogers is fit after the head knock he must open in England, given his knowledge of the conditions and his three 100s against the Poms.
Don Freo
Guest
You might say it wasn't a big achievement (of course, it was) but it was an achievement that Rogers was unable to attain. Josh Hazlewood did...in two innings...Bucky didn't. Be careful with your use and misuse of statistics. In Marsh's case, if it says something you don't like, like Bearfax, you dismiss it. As for his fielding, you are obviouly not watching cricket. He has a stunning pair of hands in the cordon and a lightning arm in the field.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. We would be mad to have a series in England and pass up Rogers. He lives for English conditions.
Matt
Roar Rookie
In the last season 7 players averaged over 60, and 16 averaged over 50 - it wasn't a big achievement. Compare the career record of Marsh with Voges or Rogers, or even with younger guys who also averaged 50+ last season and have a better career record that Marsh, like Lynn or Burns. The fact is the guy doesn't deserve to there over many other contenders, especially given he doesn't offer anything in the field or with the ball. I feel for him in that he hasn't been given a concerted crack at making a spot his own, but he also missed an opportunity to cement his place in the summer - he has played on roads all summer and didn't do enough to keep out a promising young talent or an hot form player.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I'd be amazed if Rogers isn't opening the batting in Cardiff. Reckon Boof is keeping some players on there toes, he will want to see Rogers score runs in the lead up games.
Death by Watson
Guest
Shane Watson must also play every test for Australia to have a chance. Wot? He DOESNT? Are you sure? Ok works for me -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Quitwhinging
Guest
He averaged 60 last shield season. If you don't know the facts then keep quiet
Jameswm
Guest
Does Marsh have 40 odd tests with an average of close to 50? Runs in the bank
Don Freo
Guest
Maybe Bucky is still feeling the effects of a new concussion...from Boof's verbal clip behind the ears.
CT
Guest
I tend to agree that this is an off the cuff comment from Boof. Designed to keep blokes minds on the job and remind them that no matter how good they are.Their place is not set in stone if runs do not accompany them. Watson and Warner have already been put on notice to lift their game. There may also be the reasoning that Buck could still be feeling the effects from his concussion and that CA does not want to risk his health.
spruce moose
Guest
I doubt SMarsh is challenging Voges anymore. Voges won that bout fair and square.
Tanami Singh
Guest
sorry glen
Gav
Guest
My take on that comment is that it's more about the mindset Lehman is trying to create in the team. No one is assured of a place, no automatic selections, keeps everyone on their toes. Healthy competition.... But then again I always get worried when the decision involves S Marsh
Gav
Guest
:) nice Don
Don Freo
Guest
That's what Ryan Crowley did.
Don Freo
Guest
Vogsey didn't "save us". We were never in trouble. What he did was give us a comprehensive first innings lead. The fact he scored all those runs deprived Marsh of playing a match winning innings in the second dig as he thundered to 13 not out. That was a back-to-the-wall triple century nipped in the bud.
james
Guest
HEAR HEAR. Is this a case of games for sons of mates or what? And has a guy ever done less to deserve a call up? There are better, more credentialed cricketers in the state system. But more importantly, pick someone who will develop and play for australia for the next 7-10 years! Whilst we appear to be sprted for bowlers (the most important part). Rogers, Watson, Voges, Haddin and Clarke are all getting towards the end of their careers. Rogers will go, Haddin needs to be moved on, and Watson will be gone within the next 18 months. We need to bring in young talent to build the basis of our batting order (along with warner and smith) for the next 10 years. Don't wait until all these names are gone and leave an experience vacuum in the side.
Piet
Guest
Hi Glenn, if Rogers somehow isn't picked, what message does that send to the players who might be carrying an injury of any sorts? If they admit to the doctor about it and are pulled out of a game, then not reinstated when fit, surely that will just mean that the players won't admit anything for fear of losing their place? Which is totally the wrong message to send and certainly not looking after players' welfare?