Sydney: Aussie opener Chris Rogers was contemplating retirement from cricket after being struck in the helmet during the second Test against India at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Coming so soon after the death of Phillip Hughes, who met a tragic end after being hit on the neck, the 37-year-old Rogers, who was fielding at short leg when he turned to avoid a sweep from Rohit Sharma, was hit on the back of the helmet.
“It was an interesting time after what happened with Phil. There are a lot of guys who are finding it pretty hard. Mortality hadn’t really been an issue in the game. I fielded at short leg on the last day in the Test when Michael Clarke got injured in Adelaide, and I took one on the hip there, and I didn’t do very well (with the bat), so I wasn’t happy with my own form,” Rogers was quoted as saying.
“Then we went up to Brisbane and day one I was under there and Rohit Sharma swept one and he hit me in the back of the helmet, and it’s only inches away from where Phil got hit. So you just have different thoughts go through your head. That night I was pretty upset so I just wasn’t sure which way to go. I had to speak to a few people close to me,” added he.
However, Rogers returned to batting form with a pair of half-centuries at the Gabba, the start of a run of six straight fifties to close out the series against India.
The opener will captain the Prime Minister’s XI against England in Canberra tomorrow, and it is likely that the same opposition will provide his Test swansong on this year’s Ashes tor.
“You never say never, but it might be a nice way to round my career out,” Rogers said of the Ashes campaign.
“I have played a lot over in England, it would mean a lot to me. But also, I think, looking forward for the Australian side, there’s got to be a time when they start to rebuild the side, and maybe with the Tests that are on next summer there might be a little bit less pressure and it might be the ideal time for a younger guy to come in and get some experience.
“I can see the writing on the wall with that as well, but also I think time is nearly up for me. I’m getting on and maybe there’s other things to do in life,” said he. (UNI)
