By Ali Martin at Edgbaston/theguardian.com
Chris Rogers appears to be winning his battle to be fit for this week’s third Test at Edgbaston beginning tomorrow, following the dizzy spell he suffered during the 405-run win over England at Lord’s eight days ago, having undergone a full net session against pace yesterday morning.
The 37-year-old, who experienced a loss of balance while batting in the second innings of the second Test—two days after being struck behind the ear by a Jimmy Anderson bouncer—faced his fast-bowling teammates in a first proper hit since being diagnosed with an inner-ear problem.
Yesterday’s workout was observed by Australian selector Rod Marsh and was followed by his full participation in training.
It came after a lighter session the day before in which he received throwdowns from head coach Darren Lehmann and batted against the spin bowler Nathan Lyon.
Australia must now decide whether Rogers is ready to return to the rigours of Test cricket.
The 37-year-old, who has already announced he will be retiring from international cricket at the end of the current tour, has been one of their form batsmen this summer, top-scoring for them in the first Test in Cardiff with 95 before his 173 in the first innings at Lord’s.
It was en route to that Test-best score that Rogers took a blow to the back of the helmet from Anderson from the first ball of the second day, in the area protected by the new clip-on guards that have been developed since the tragic death of the batsman Phillip Hughes last November.
The seriousness of that impact was not known until 48 hours later when, during Australia’s second innings, he showed signs of dizziness at the non-striker’s end and, according to his opening partner David Warner, believed the grandstand to be moving.
After retiring on 49 not out following on-field treatment from physio Alex Kountouris and team doctor Peter Brukner, the opener did not visit the local hospital but was later diagnosed as suffering from “damage to the vestibular apparatus” during two days of assessment by a specialist in London last week.
It was the third time in seven months that Rogers has been hit in the head, having missed two Tests against West Indies in June due to concussion following a blow from a local net bowler in Dominica and taking one in the helmet while fielding at short leg in Brisbane last December.
His fellow left-hander Shaun Marsh is on standby to replace Rogers for the third Test at Edgbaston, that begins tomorrow, should he not be deemed ready, having scoring centuries in his two warm-up appearances on tour.
Following yesterday’s net session, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc insisted Rogers had been given a proper workout.
“We all had a bowl at him,” the left-arm quick told reporters. “He seems to have come through it pretty well. I haven’t seen him since the net but all reports are that he is good to go. I think he will have another hit tomorrow (Tuesday), and and seems to be good.”
Starc was adamant Australia’s quicks hadn’t eased up against Rogers.
“Yes it was full tilt,” said Starc. “We are all preparing for a Test match. If everyone is bowling full tilt and he gets through that then he is ready to go. No one is holding back, no matter who is at the other end.
Rogers, who plans to retire after the Ashes, missed last week's three-day tour match at Derby, where Marsh—who also replaced him in the West Indies—made a first-innings hundred in a rain-affected draw.
Australian opener Chris Rogers during his team's training session yesterday. (Action Images via Reuters)
