Chris Rogers has announced he will retire from international cricket after the final Investec Ashes Test against England, which starts at the Kia Oval tomorrow.
Rogers, who will be 38 at the end of this month, has hinted all summer that the five-match series will be his last – and with the urn already regained by England, he has made it clear he will call time on his career after his 25th Test.
The opening batsman, who joins his captain Michael Clarke in retiring from international cricket after the fifth Test, said: “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.”
Rogers, who has more than 24,000 first-class runs to his name, made his Test debut in 2008 but did not win his second cap until the start of the 2013 Ashes – at the age of 35.
The determined left-hander has since scored five Test centuries, most recently in Australia’s only victory of the Ashes summer at Lord’s.
It was there, though, that he was hit on the helmet by a short ball from James Anderson and subsequently suffered a bout of dizziness which forced him to retire hurt and made him a doubt for the next match at Edgbaston.
He was able to play there after all, unlike in the West Indies in June when he was diagnosed with concussion after being hit in the nets.
It was to no avail, though, as Australia lost by eight wickets.
Explaining his decision to accompany Clarke into retirement, Rogers added: “You are never 100 per cent sure, but I felt like this (Test at the Oval) was the last one.
“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.”
The clash at the Kia Oval represents the chance for Australia to end a disappointing series on a high, which would be a fitting farewell for Rogers and Clarke.
Rogers said: “I’d be lying if I said that there wasn’t a lot of disappointment amongst the group. We came here to win and we’ve been outplayed
“It’s been a difficult week. A lot of the guys have felt a bit flat I’d imagine.
“All I can say is we are hugely disappointed but saying that this is a big last game, obviously it’s Michael’s retirement as well.
“But, not only that, I think there are places up for grabs in this side and no one’s going to be taking that for granted that’s for sure.”
Congrats to Bucky Rogers on a fantastic Test career for @CricketAus! #LivingTheDream
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) August 18, 2015
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