Ashes 2019 | Australia are close to finding the right opening partner for Warner, says Chris Rogers
Former Australian opener Chris Rogers believes that Australia are close to finding the right opening partner for David Warner in red-ball cricket. Ever since Rogers' retirement from Test cricket after the Ashes in 2015, the Aussies have tried as many as 12 different opening combinations.
Gone are the days when Australia’s batting lineup boasted of towering figures like Matthew Hayden or Justin Langer or Simon Katich or even Rogers himself, at the top. Of course, the modern era has seen David Warner rise to the occasion. But since his partner Rogers’ retirement in 2015, Australia have found it difficult to find a mate for him. However, Rogers is confident that Australia’s think-tank will solve their conundrum soon enough.
"I think there is a lot of competition for that spot at the moment, and if you don't perform there is someone else who is putting his hand up. I think we are close to figuring out our opening combination. The players we have tried are still developing their game. As these players get better, someone will seal the opening spot along with Warner," Rogers was quoted saying by TOI.
The 41-year-old, who featured in 25 Test matches for Australia, is currently in Chennai as head coach of Cricket Australia's 14-member national performance squad which will train for over two-and-half weeks at the MRF academy.
He expressed confidence in Australia’s current option up-top, Cameron Bancroft. Although Bancroft only managed scores of 8 and 7 at Birmingham, Rogers believes he will deliver in the second Test at Lord's.
"Bancroft has been in good vein of form in recent times, and forced his way back into the Australian side on performance. He has got a good opportunity to make (the opening slot) his own. (The wicket at) Lord's can be batting friendly at times. So, if he can get some confidence going in - then he is in prime position to score some runs," Rogers said.
During his playing days Rogers spent a major portion of his playing years in counties such as Middlesex, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. So he knows what he is talking about when he advised that the Aussie batsmen need to be adept at playing on the front foot if they are to succeed in England.
"Learning how to play off the front foot holds the key in England. In Australia, we tend to score more of the back-foot and that's the reason some of our players find it tough to adapt their game (in England). Playing in counties can help batsmen in this regard," he said.
One batsman, among the Australian camp, who did not face any problem at all in the Ashes opener was Steve Smith. Smith struck two centuries and was instrumental in Australia’s 251-run win. Legend has it that Smith is perhaps still batting at Birmingham. Rogers, who played alongside Smith in the 5-0 whitewash of the English in the summer of 2013/14, believes he has the potential to surpass the likes of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.
"He is right up there. I was lucky enough to play against Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, and Steve is in their league. If he continues with his form, he'll force his way past them," Rogers added.
Get updates! Follow us on
0
0
0
0
0
0
Comments
Sign up or log in to your account to leave comments and reactions
0 Comments