Chris Rogers is not a name synonymous with international cricket, but one day he may, but until that day he will have to wait. On appearances Rogers looks he is way down the pecking order behind Hayden and Langer, but when you consider the likely candidates they have one thing in common they are all the same age as Langer and Hayden. Hayden and Langer’s exploits have been legendary, but when they retire so will most the contenders, that leaves Maher 30, Mike Hussey 29 and Rogers as the next in line.
Chris Rogers did not burst onto the first class scene in fact this 26 year old prodigy struggled to hold a place down in the West Australian side for 3 years .In that time Rogers made a name for himself in the ACB cup (the national second XL competition) ,and excelled as one of the leading batsmen in that competition .It was then no surprise that Rogers came of age in the second half of the 2000/01 season, scoring 411 runs in 4 games at an average of 82.20, scoring 2 centuries and 2 50’s. At this stage a question arose was it a fluke and could he hold down a regular place in the side in the next season. The answer is Chris Rogers moved from strength to strength and not only gained a regular place, but caught the eyes of national selectors.
Chris Rogers made an impact in both forms of the game scoring 745 runs at 46.56 and including 2 centuries in the 4 day game and scored 327 runs at 36.33 in the ING cup. This impressive form opened the door for him nationally and he played 5 games for Australia A against South Africa A, but only managed modest results .Chris then spent the off season playing league cricket in England, and starred in an invitational One-day game against the visiting South African side. Moving into the 2003/04 season Rogers again starred scoring 864 runs at 57.60 including 4 centuries in the Pura Cup, and scored 272 runs at 38.85 in the ING cup. Again this good season opened the door nationally for him when Rogers and Hussey were chosen for an Australian A side verses the touring Indians, Rogers scored 70 and was part of a 119 run partnership with Mike Hussey. Rogers again celebrated his form when he was signed by Derbyshire as a replacement for the injured Michael De Venuto who withdrew from his contract. After a modest start Rogers has hit form in the county season scoring 150 odd in a 4 day game and 90 odd in a One-Day game, and he looks in for a promising season there.
The future looks good for Chris Rogers and I have no doubt that he will one day be wearing the baggy green ,unfortunately the legendary tale of Hayden and Langer may keep him out of international cricket for another 3 or 4 years.
Nonetheless there is a rainbow on the horizon and that is the young prodigy Chris Rogers.