Australian Rogers to retires after Ashes

Image
IANS London
Last Updated : Aug 18 2015 | 3:07 PM IST

Opening batsman Chris Rogers confirmed on Tuesday that this week's final Ashes Test at The Oval would be his last for Australia.

"I have had an amazing couple of years playing for Australia and enjoyed it and been part of some pretty special things, but everything comes to an end. You are never 100 percent sure, but I felt like this was the last one," Rogers was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Rogers believes it is time for Australia to make a few changes and put in new faces in the Test squad.

"There's been a few things, particularly the head issues lately, so I am quite happy to call it a day. It's time for Australian cricket to make a few changes and bring in a few new guys, a few fresh faces. It's going to be a challenging time, particularly for the new guys but that's part of it," said the left-handed batsman.

The veteran is set to leave the game after enjoying the best individual Test series of his career (currently averaging 62.42 in this campaign) as well as holding a career-high No.9 berth for Test batsmen rankings, ahead of India captain Virat Kohli (10) and England's most prolific-ever batsman Alastair Cook (19).

"I'm ahead of Davey (David) Warner as well - you can write that one," Rogers said of his opening partner, who is currently ranked 11 and with whom he has forged a strong bond despite their markedly contrasting ages, techniques and characters.

The 37-year-old said that clinching the Ashes would have been the perfect swan song but added that England were deserving winners.

"It's kind of bittersweet (the farewell). It's pretty special, someone said to me, (because) not many people go out when they're scoring runs or taking wickets, it's generally not how it happens. So that's something to be proud of as well," said Rogers.

England have clinched the series 3-1 with one Test yet to be played.

"It would've been perfect to have won this series but it's not to be. England have been deserving winners and we've been outplayed. But I can be proud that I've played quite well and stood up and made a little bit of a difference."

Rogers played 24 Tests in an international career spanning 2008 to 2015 in which he scored 1,972 runs. He also scored five centuries and 14 half-centuries with a highest score of 173 in the second Ashes Test at Lord's.

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 18 2015 | 2:56 PM IST

Next Story