Rogers racing the clock for third Test

Chris Rogers has rejoined Australia’s Ashes squad, but the opener will be racing the clock to be fit for the third Test.

Rogers stayed in London this week for a series of balance tests, which revealed his dizzy spells were related to the vestibular system in his inner ear.

The 37-year-old linked up with the team in Nottingham on Friday night, having been given the all clear to start a gradual return to physical activity.

The clash at Edgbaston starts on Wednesday, leaving Rogers limited time to step things up and prove his fitness.

“Chris continues to improve,” team doctor Peter Brukner said.

“He will continue to increase his level of activity over the next couple of days and will be closely monitored by team medical staff.”

Rogers will be heavily restricted initially then slowly start to undertake more and more vigorous exercise until he is cleared to face Mitchell Johnson and Co in the nets.

“You manage this really similarly to the way you manage a concussion,” Brukner said earlier this week.

The gradual process means the veteran opener has limited time to prove he is ready for five days of Test cricket.

“From my point of view he needs to be free of all his symptoms, whether it’s fatigue or dizziness,” Brukner said earlier this week.

“That will be up to the coaches to decide, but I imagine he’ll have to get through a couple of solid training sessions before he plays.

“That’s something we’ll have to sort out with the coaches.”

Rogers retired hurt on day four of the second Test due to a sudden bout of dizziness, having been struck on the helmet by Jimmy Anderson on day two.

He experienced another alarming dizzy spell in the Lord’s changerooms last Sunday, then another on Monday.

Rogers is averaging 109 in the series after posting a career-best 173 at Lord’s.

He would be a major loss if ruled out of the third Test.

Shaun Marsh would open alongside David Warner if Rogers is sidelined.

Marsh did the same in the West Indies, where Rogers recently missed two Tests due to concussion.

The Western Australian has scored two centuries on the Ashes tour, but England’s attack will be more threatening than the trundlers of Kent and Derbyshire.