Rogers makes runs in Ashes warm-up match

Chris Rogers has got some vital time in the middle as he rebuilds his confidence before the Ashes following a bout of concussion.

The left-handed opener made 70 on Friday in the second innings of a two-day hit-out on the Isle of Wight, off the southern coast of England.

Facing just six balls in the first dig the day before – caught behind off the bowling of Australian teammate Ryan Harris – Rogers’ decent workout will make the veteran feel more at ease less than three weeks before the first Ashes Test against England.

He was playing for an Elite Academy XI against Hampshire’s second XI in a match that offered Rogers and Harris game time after injury lay-offs.

Rogers missed both Australia’s recent Test wins against the West Indies in the Caribbean after he suffered headaches and dizzy spells following a blow to the helmet in the nets.

After bowling 15 overs at Newclose Cricket Club on Thursday, Harris – who also missed the Test series in the Windies due to the birth of his son – clocked up just four overs on Friday as he builds his fitness and manages his battered knees leading into the opening Test in Cardiff.

He took the wicket of Tom Alsop and will now continue to work in the nets before Australia’s next tour match against county side Kent starting next Thursday.

The Hampshire’s second XI took a 23-run first-innings lead having reached 6-306 – with Joe Gatting, nephew of former England captain Mike, making an unbeaten 153 – in reply to the Elite Academy XI’s 8-283.

Australia’s veteran women’s batter Alex Blackwell hit an unbeaten 16 after scoring a first-innings duck in the academy’s second dig as the game ended in a draw.

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