Australian opener Chris Rogers has revealed the fourth and final Test against India at the SCG is likely to be his last on home soil, as he prepares for retirement from all levels of the game after this year’s Ashes series in England.
Rogers, 37, has made good on his second chance at an international career, scoring 1384 runs at 37.40 in 19 Tests.
After a one-off Test in 2007, when he managed just 4 and 15, Rogers has been a regular feature of the Australian line-up since returning to the team for the 2013 tour of England.
But the stubborn left-hander nicknamed ‘Buck’ knows the end is approaching.
“You never say never, but I think so,” Rogers said when asked on Sunday if the SCG Test starting on Tuesday would be his last in Australia.
“I looked at the future and looked at the England series and what England has meant to me it would be a nice way to finish.
“So hopefully I can get through to the Ashes, if this is the last one well that’s OK.
“You get to a point where touring can be quite difficult and playing a lot of cricket can get to you at the end.
“For a new guy to play in the Ashes in England would be very difficult.
“After England, that would be a good time for a newer player to come in.”
Rogers, who made his first class debut in 1998 and has been a prolific scorer in both Sheffield Shield and county cricket, said he would like to stay involved with cricket when he retires.
Current Australian No.6 Joe Burns opens for Queensland and could be a future partner for David Warner at the top of the order.
Tasmanian opener Ed Cowan, who is the leading runscorer in Sheffield Shield cricket this season, is another.
Rogers has been solid in the three Tests so far against India, scoring 266 runs at 44.33, without racking up a hundred.
He is hoping that comes in Sydney.
“It is disappointing in some respects not to get the big score,” he said.
“But I thought I did a good job day one (in Melbourne) when you are one for none and able to put on a hundred run partnership, I thought that was pretty crucial in setting up the whole game.
“I was reasonably happy but it would be good to go on and get a big one.”
