Fatigue the only hurdle for Chris Rogers

Fatigue will be the only factor that stops Chris Rogers from playing the third Ashes Test.

Rogers has made a remarkable recovery from the balance problems that forced him to retire hurt on day four of the second Test.

The 37-year-old batted against Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the nets without any discomfort or dizziness on Monday.

Rogers also completed fielding drills with the squad and ticked every box required in Australia’s main session prior to the Edgbaston Test.

He is expected to be passed fit for Wednesday, when the third Test starts.

“You can push yourself quite hard, but fatigue’s going to be an interesting one,” Rogers said.

“That’s a little bit of a concern, but at this stage everything seems pretty good.

“I felt pretty good over the last few days and see no reason at the moment not to play.”

The veteran opener admitted he was initially “a little bit dubious” about his hopes of playing the crucial fixture, which comes with the series locked at 1-1.

It’s easy to understand why.

Rogers complained of the Lord’s grandstand moving as Australia cruised to a 405-run win then experienced another two alarming dizzy spells in the following 36 hours.

Tests confirmed it was an inner-ear issue triggered by a bouncer blow to the helmet.

The early fear of Rogers and team doctor Peter Brukner was concussion.

If that proved true, retirement was on the cards given he recently missed two Tests in the West Indies due to a brain injury.

“If it was concussion, I would have definitely thought about maybe that was it,” he said.

“The specialists ruled that out and said it was just a completely different injury, so that helped.”

Rogers experienced headaches and dizziness in the Caribbean, but nothing compared to what he suffered in London.

“It was almost like my eyes were jumping. A really bizarre sensation and kind of scary,” he said.

“I’ve never had it before and I must admit for the first few days I thought there was something seriously wrong.

“Getting hit in the head, it’s always a worry, particularly at this stage of my career.

“But it’s part and parcel of what I do.”

And Rogers expects plenty more short stuff from England this week.

“Without a doubt. I’m not stupid, I know they’ll come even harder at me,” he said.

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