Australia opener Chris Rogers was forced to retire hurt after suffering a dizzy spell on the fourth morning of the second Ashes Test against England, at Lord’s yesterday.
After two overs of play, Rogers crouched down by the side of the pitch and then sat motionless. Concerned batting partner David Warner signalled for medical staff to come out on to the field and after a few minutes’ treatment, Rogers, who had added five runs to his overnight score, walked off on 49 not out, with Australia 114 without loss.
The 37-year-old Rogers, who has said he plans to retire after the end of this series, received sympathetic applause from a packed crowd at Lord’s, where he spent several seasons with Middlesex, as he made his way to the pavilion.
A team spokeswoman said that Rogers, who had shown no signs of illness before start of yesterday’s play, was still at Lord’s. There was an encouraging sign when Rogers was seen sitting on the Australia balcony in the pavilion in his training kit later in the day.
Rogers missed Australia’s recent 2-0 series win in the Caribbean with concussion after being hit on the head while batting in the nets.
And the first innings of this match, during his Test-best 173, saw Rogers struck flush on the side of the helmet by James Anderson when he turned his head away from the opening ball of Friday’s second day.
Rogers remained in the dressing room for the start of England’s second innings, with 12th man Shaun Marsh—the reserve opener who replaced him in the West Indies—coming on as a substitute fielder.
The subject of increased protection for players has been been much discussed within cricket following the passing of former Australia batsman Phillip Hughes, who died after being struck in the neck by a bouncer in November.
