Chris Rogers’ Test career may have come to a premature end.
The pugnacious left-hander announced ahead of this Ashes series that it would be his last beneath the baggy green.
However, a dizzy spell that took effect in the middle of Lord’s some two days after he was struck in the helmet by James Anderson may see the curtain drawn early.
For Rogers it was a case of déjà vu, and a very recent one to boot.
Two days out from the first Test in the Caribbean in early June he was struck on the helmet by a local net bowler.
The effects of that blow ruled him out of the entire two-Test series.
In cricket terms that was a long break from action as a result of a hit to the helmet.
But that blow was by no means the first in Rogers 16-year, 294-match first-class career.
In the aftermath of the blow in he suffered at Rousseau, Rogers reflected on the number of times he had been struck in the head while batting.
“To be honest, I didn’t think much of the hit on the head. I’ve been hit on the head quite a few times. I thought it was just another one. But then I just didn’t start to feel great. I spoke to the doc and didn’t expect him to rule me out of the Test, but he did,” Rogers said.
“I was a little bit surprised at the time but since then I still haven’t quite recovered. I’ve had some pretty bad days so I think the doc was right. He made the right call.
“I’ve never really had symptoms like this, I must admit. Even just running and taking a few catches and then feeling terrible for the rest of the day. It’s been a bit of a wake-up call.”
The first ball of day two of the Lord’s Test provided another wake-up call, when on 158, he misjudged a short delivery from Anderson and was struck on the helmet behind the right ear.
There was a short delay as Rogers was attended to by team doctor Peter Brukner who stemmed some light bleeding behind his ear.
When Rogers resumed there appeared to be no ill effects in the lead-in to him being dismissed for a career-best 173.
In was during the opening session of the fourth day that the aftermath was first experienced.
Clearly dizzy and dazed – with 49 alongside his name on the scoreboard – he walked across the pitch and went down on one knee as opening partner David Warner signalled for assistance from the rooms.
This time there was no continuing with Dr Brukner leading Rogers back to the pavilion.
Interestingly, Rogers is one of the few Australian batsmen who have adopted the modified helmet that was hastily manufactured following the tragic death of Phillip Hughes in November.
The area he was hit was eerily close to where Hughes was struck his fatal blow.
Given Rogers has declared that he only has three further Tests ahead of his retirement it brings into question whether or not he should depart the scene earlier.
Concussion as a result of numerous blows to the head has been something that many sporting codes in Australia have been wrestling with of late.
The standing down of Rogers in the Caribbean was part of a newly adopted policy by Cricket Australia of dealing with players who have suffered a concussion.
A landmark ruling from a US Court in April approved a plan whereby former-NFL players would be entitled to a slice of US$1bn over the next 65 years as a result of on-field concussions.
It is estimated that as many as 6000 of the nearly 20,000 retired players will suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or moderate dementia in the future after years of having received blows to the head.
The ruling sent shivers through the boardrooms of sports like Australian football and the rugby codes in this country.
Rogers is a thoughtful man.
He is often portrayed by his teammates as being the one who is either on his Kindle reading or doing crosswords to help kill time while on tour.
He will now, along with medical staff, have to decide whether he gives himself more time for those pursuits at the expense of extending his career.
He has been Australia’s most consistent batsman through the first two Tests with scores of 95, 10, 173 and 49 not out.
After 22 Tests, and with five centuries to his name, he has taken his career average to a credible 44.3.
Having been recalled to the side after a solitary Test seven years ago he has proven himself to be a highly capable Test opener.
While he will be torn to play the last three Tests of the current series, he may well be advised to call it a day with his long-term health a far more important consideration.
Should he either be ruled out or chooses to step down of his own volition, it will be a body blow to the aspirations of Michael Clarke’s team.
Rogers has scored four of his five tons against the old enemy and in 12 matches, both home-and-away, he has scored 1157 runs at 52.6.
As was the case in the Caribbean when Rogers was sidelined, it will be Shaun Marsh who will be thrown to the top of the order.
He fared reasonably against West Indies with a four innings aggregate of 112 at 37.3, however opening in Tests in England is a whole different ballgame.
But in truth, when it comes to the long-term wellbeing and health of a sportsman, the decision to err on the side of caution is the best option.
And with Chris Rogers, that may well be the course of action that is required for the risk of another blow maybe more than his body can properly absorb.
Don Freo
Guest
But being Dizzy is helping the Poms now. If Marsh comes in, we'll be even better.
Don Freo
Guest
You'll be ok with Marsh. He can and does score quickly but is proving to be a sedate and responsible builder of an innings. Haddin and MitchMarsh are cheese and chalk.
ColinP
Guest
I'd be v surprised if he played, they would have to be 100% sure there is nothing related to his concussion involved, and that will be difficult. There is also the v likely chance he may take another hit, he is obviously gonna get peppered, and then it becomes about whether cricket Australia have neglected their duty to him. If Rogers gets even the slightest knock again he could come back and sue the pants of CA in 10 years time saying he wasn't in control of his faculties and the decision to play should have been taken out if his hands, obviously it's unlikely he will do that, but the lawyers at CA won't even consider that, they will see massive financial risk.
DT
Guest
Jason Gillespie was Dizzy his whole career and managed a heap of wickets and a double ton. Rogers will be fine and will go out the hero he deserves to be after we pump England in next 3 tests.
Minz
Guest
Except, say, the UK, where both cricket and rugby league are around. You could say the same thing about North America, too - gridiron and ice hockey (and before you say ice hockey's European too, the North American version's a lot more physical and on a smaller rink).
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Good points Johnny. It's only now that the long term consequences caused by blows to the head in full contact sports are being realised. It's not just boxing. American football & the two Rugby codes are also being scrutinised. So too, Aussie Rules. Cricket? I'm not sure.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Most people I know who love Aussie Rules and Cricket started playing them when they were too young to know what concussion was. They played for the shear joy of it. Risk and fear comes into these games as you get older but doesn't diminish the thrill either as player or spectator. The desire for brutal encounters comes way behind the goals, big marks, runs and wickets.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
They play bouncers differently too with helmets. People used to duck or instinctively throw up the hands to hook or parry. The raising of the hands in defence seems to have disappeared as the helmet gives a sense of security. From my recollection Rogers turned his head to the side and lowered his hands and unfortunately it half pinged him on the scone below the helmet.
13th Man
Guest
yep but Rogers has been cleared for third test it seems http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/ashes-2015-chris-rogers-cleared-to-continue-in-series-despite-lords-dizzy-spell/story-e6frf3g3-1227450264735
13th Man
Guest
Yes i know Haddin has been going through a tough time with his daughters illness and that was what kept him out of the 2nd test, but it is time to go. Neville was brilliant and is the future, Hadds isn't the same player he once was, time to give Neville an extended run at the top. Maybe if there is a dead rubber 5th test give Hadds his farewell game, otherwise Neville is the man. I also think Hadds upsets the team balance at 7. Neville is a more solid bat and is the safer bet at 7.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Great news if the dizziness was caused by an ear infection - although comments above are saying ear injury from the hit.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I recognise the quote: “I’ve never really had symptoms like this, I must admit. Even just running and taking a few catches and then feeling terrible for the rest of the day. It’s been a bit of a wake-up call.” Is from the knock in the Carribean but those are classic concussion symptons. I would be amazed if the symptons being felt now with another hit this soon afterwards was not concussion related. I know it is rugby rather than cricket related but I often point people to this article - I knew Devine when he had just left school, really bright, cheerful guy - reading about the struggle he had due to repeated head knocks was a massive eye-opener for me. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/5365956/A-case-of-Devine-intervention-for-brave-Steve Unless the medicos are certain it isn't concussion related they must stand him down - if he is having issues with balance he should probably be stood down anyway. A real shame as the guy has been one of our few rocks amongst some flaky bats and we'll miss his contributions. If this is the end it has been a pleasure watching him play.
Alex
Guest
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/this-is-your-brain-on-football-20130131 Have a read of this, its all about post concussion syndrome, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) the effects of concessions are real, especially repeated concussions and even those that go uneducated or unnoticed.
Brett McKay
Expert
Don't get me wrong Christo, I have no reason to doubt the treatment being received. What I don't get is the language being used. My issue is not with the medicos, but rather the statements being put out publically. And if it's plausible that there is no concussion, and it is just an ear injury, then it has to be equally plausible that there is a concussion delay that isn't being mentioned, for the reasons I suggested.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
You've pretty much answered your own question Brett: "as sport becomes more aware of the various issues around concussion and how that should be best dealt with – and remembering that Rogers sat out the Caribbean series because of ongoing concussion symptoms" I would presume that the medical professionals that have been treating Rogers would be best placed to comment in any sort of authoritative manner. If they say he's right to go, then (no offense) but I would take their opinion over yours every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Your 'talks like a duck' analogy isn't relevant either. All we know publicly is that he felt dizzy. That could be from any number of issues - inner ear infection, dehydration, low blood sugar levels, etc. All you've done is taken the fact that he was hit on the helmet a couple of days earlier and assumed the dizzyness is related. While it MIGHT be, let's leave it to medical professionals before leaping to conclusions, yes?
Rob JM
Guest
Concussion is a brain injury, the inner ear problem rogers has is not part of the brain. Yes they are both part of a person's head, and both need to function properly but they are apples and oranges in terms of prognosis.
Crispy
Guest
Stick to what you know Brett, which is sport (and I highly value your opinion BTW). He could very easily have some swelling around the mastoid process which is affecting his middle/inner ear causing dizziness. Quite separate from concussion.
Brett McKay
Expert
Christo, we're seeing it more and more now, that as sport becomes more aware of the various issues around concussion and how that should be best dealt with - and remembering that Rogers sat out the Caribbean series because of ongoing concussion symptoms - sporting bodies are trying to avoid concussion being an issue in certain cases. Whether that's because they know that with a concussion injury comes certain requirements and expectations now, I don't know, and I'm more than happy to admit there's people far better placed to talk about delayed concussion than me. But equally, if it talks, walks, and quacks like a duck, don't tell me it's a chicken..
Griffo
Guest
Those Aussie's don't know what they're talking about. The AFL is tougher and harder than it has ever been. Rugby League also. Just because you can't whack a bloke or shirtfront him doesn't mean it's soft it's just more sensible.
Johnny Dalmas
Guest
You do realise that cricket is regularly ranked as one of the most popular sports in the world, with over 2 billion fans? And it is hardly a "concussion-based" sport. The number of concussions and head injuries is really quite low for the amount of cricket that is played. Aussie Rules, Rugby League & Rugby Union are full contact sports which, like other full contact sports like American Football are prone to all kinds of injuries, including head injuries. The question is really why do we favour full contact "winter" sports over partial contact sports like soccer or basketball? And that, I think, has more to do with "historical accidents" about which sports got established first in our major cities rather than anything innate to each sport.