Rogers and Smith seek Perth lift
Chris Rogers and Steven Smith have a few things in common, not least that 2013 has been a year of second chances for them. Smith was recalled to the Test side after two years out, Rogers for the first time in five years. Both scored their maiden Test hundreds on the Ashes tour of England and returned entrenched in the side having been among the team's better performers. And both have been outshone in this series by Michael Clarke, David Warner and Brad Haddin.
But there's one big difference as they prepare at the WACA, where both want to pull their weight with the bat. There could hardly be a better venue for Rogers, nor a more challenging one for Smith. As a Western Australia cricketer for ten years before moving to Victoria, Rogers piled up runs at the WACA and has made 13 first-class centuries there in his 3653 runs at 48.70. Smith's six first-class games there have yielded 172 runs at 17.20, making it his worst Australian venue.
There is a caveat, though. Batsmen can find it difficult to get used to the pace and bounce of the WACA, and after his first six games there Rogers was, like Smith, averaging below 20. In his seventh, something clicked, and he scored unbeaten centuries in both innings against South Australia, and never looked back.
"It's one of the hardest places in the world to bat but also one of the best, if you can negotiate the first 20 balls or so," Rogers said in Perth on Wednesday. "You can score 360 degrees on this wicket. Some grounds you can't. It's great cricket. You can play all the shots. It's exciting. Hopefully we can get through that new ball and we get a big score."
Smith would do well to speak to Rogers about how to adjust to the WACA, and specifically how to get through those difficult early stages. His first-class scores at the ground read 4, 0, 6, 8, 70, 7, 36, 19, 22, 0, and he knows that one of the keys to him succeeding in Perth will be to avoid the temptation of flashing early, and being prepared to leave the ball based on length.
"My game now is more suited to this wicket than it previously has been," Smith said. "My patience now has changed a bit. Going out there, it's pretty key to watch the ball closely and leave well early. That's going to be part of my game this week. I've heard from all the boys that it's one of the best places to bat in the world when you get in. Hopefully [I can] get through my first 30 balls and go from there.
"The bounce is always pretty consistent here in Perth, so it is one place where you can leave a lot on length. Their bowlers have bowled quite a shortish length so far in this series, we probably could have left a lot of balls that aren't going to be hitting the stumps. If they continue to bowl those lengths here it's going to be even easier to leave. Hopefully I can watch the ball closely and get through early and then be able to cash in later on."
One advantage Smith has over Rogers is he has at least played an Ashes Test at the WACA before, Australia's sole victory in the otherwise disastrous 2010-11 series. Rogers has played England XIs in Perth before, but never in a Test. In fact, it was against England that Rogers made his first-class debut at the WACA 15 years ago. On that occasion, the part-time offerings of Mark Ramprakash were sufficient to have him caught behind.
That must seem a world away for Rogers, now 36. In fact, his Test debut at the WACA against India nearly six years ago also seems an age ago. Back then, Rogers was a Western Australia batsman filling in for an injured Matthew Hayden, knowing full well that his appearance could be a one-off. Now, he returns as a Victoria cricketer established in the Test team, and perhaps about to play in a winning Ashes side.
"It feels a lifetime ago. It was a crazy time," Rogers said of his Test debut. "I can't really even remember much about it. I remember ripping my baggy green cap. It was too tight. The one I've got at the moment is my second one. It was a long time ago. Lots of things have changed.
"To be in this position, the mood in the camp to be so good, everyone's getting on so well, and to feel like we're accomplishing something, after losing so many Tests, now to be a part of something special is a great feeling.
"Back then even though I was 30, it still felt like it was the initial stages in my career in many respects. Now it's at the back end. I've got nothing to lose. If it all ends tomorrow then so be it. I've had an amazing time over the last few months so I'm just taking everything as a bonus and loving every minute of it."
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here
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@ the experience. I agree with your points. Watson isn't a world class number three and might be better placed as an all rounder batting in the middle order.
That would mean giving someone like Doolan a chance at number 3 meaning that either Bailey or Smith would be rotated out. I think that Hughes should replace Rogers when his run comes to an end.
Dont bring Phil huges again...we are done with him
Phil huges was nvr a world class batsman n nvr will be...the earlier we forget abt him ...the better..
Why is there no scrutiny on Watson???!!! If I wanted a bowling allrounder, I'd prefer Faulkner. Watson's batting isn't good enough to be our number 3
Both Rogers & Smith need to convert their starts in to big ones !!! Aus team is in full control right now & both should score more consistently..... I wonder same team will play the next test, therefore can begin fresh & go for big !!!!
On Watson, sure he's not a world-class #3, but there are few bowlers let alone all-rounders who can reliably bowl maiden after maiden with an older ball to help crack an established partnership. When you put that with Siddle's ability to do the same, and to find movement on the deadest tracks, and with Lyon's ability to dismiss batsmen who try and go after him, it's a powerful set-up to stop the opposition getting away.
Besides, Watson always seems to be one match away from breaking his bizarrely defensive mental rut and striking the ball like he has in ODIs and during his century at the end of the last Ashes. If he doesn't follow up with something like what we saw from him in England, then ideally he'd go down to #6, but of course, who's replacing him?
I cant see Bailey or Smith succeeding at #3. Hughes is a born opener and should come in when it's time to say goodbye to Rogers instead of messing around with his temperament as an opener. Watson is frustrating but who else is there?
Rogers & Smith !!! What about Watson, replace him with Faulkner, even Haddin's got a better ave than Watson
I have loved the tenacity of Phil Rogers, he reminds me of another WA opener - Geoff Marsh... probably not the most gifted but has a dogged tenacity that has to be admired and never gives up the fight... but his time is drawing to a close methinks... fortunately Hughes is doing the right things at the right time and scoring big runs... 3 tons already this season with another 50 from 8 innings.
I was going to add that I like Smith but not sure if he is a number 5... given the historical strength of that position (think S.Waugh, M Hussey, D Lehmann, A Border, and obviously M Clarke) but was surprised to find that excepting for Waugh, Hussey, and Clarke, Steve Smith has a better avg than the others batting 5, and apart from those mentioned, has more runs to his name in that position... perhaps he will come to own the role... still, not sure how big M Hussey's feet are, but he has left huge boots behind to fill.
@ HatsforBats on (December 11, 2013, 10:26 GMT) - I am happy that Rogers got his 2nd coming (overdue by at least a year), but he is unlikely to get to 20 tests (would be a Cinderella story if he did). He has been invaluable. Smith can be carried, much the same way the Poms have at times carried Root. @Chris_P on (December 11, 2013, 19:34 GMT) - agreed re: Smith, Rogers & Watson. If Faulkner went & hit a Shield ton anytime soon - it would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons!
I think the South African tour would be a good place to consider a Rogers replacement. Perhaps Hughes.
And then we have Watson in the team @ number 3. He hasn't got a chance standing up to Amla with the bat. Where's the next Ponting?
@ the experience. I agree with your points. Watson isn't a world class number three and might be better placed as an all rounder batting in the middle order.
That would mean giving someone like Doolan a chance at number 3 meaning that either Bailey or Smith would be rotated out. I think that Hughes should replace Rogers when his run comes to an end.
Dont bring Phil huges again...we are done with him
Phil huges was nvr a world class batsman n nvr will be...the earlier we forget abt him ...the better..
Why is there no scrutiny on Watson???!!! If I wanted a bowling allrounder, I'd prefer Faulkner. Watson's batting isn't good enough to be our number 3
Both Rogers & Smith need to convert their starts in to big ones !!! Aus team is in full control right now & both should score more consistently..... I wonder same team will play the next test, therefore can begin fresh & go for big !!!!
On Watson, sure he's not a world-class #3, but there are few bowlers let alone all-rounders who can reliably bowl maiden after maiden with an older ball to help crack an established partnership. When you put that with Siddle's ability to do the same, and to find movement on the deadest tracks, and with Lyon's ability to dismiss batsmen who try and go after him, it's a powerful set-up to stop the opposition getting away.
Besides, Watson always seems to be one match away from breaking his bizarrely defensive mental rut and striking the ball like he has in ODIs and during his century at the end of the last Ashes. If he doesn't follow up with something like what we saw from him in England, then ideally he'd go down to #6, but of course, who's replacing him?
I cant see Bailey or Smith succeeding at #3. Hughes is a born opener and should come in when it's time to say goodbye to Rogers instead of messing around with his temperament as an opener. Watson is frustrating but who else is there?
Rogers & Smith !!! What about Watson, replace him with Faulkner, even Haddin's got a better ave than Watson
I have loved the tenacity of Phil Rogers, he reminds me of another WA opener - Geoff Marsh... probably not the most gifted but has a dogged tenacity that has to be admired and never gives up the fight... but his time is drawing to a close methinks... fortunately Hughes is doing the right things at the right time and scoring big runs... 3 tons already this season with another 50 from 8 innings.
I was going to add that I like Smith but not sure if he is a number 5... given the historical strength of that position (think S.Waugh, M Hussey, D Lehmann, A Border, and obviously M Clarke) but was surprised to find that excepting for Waugh, Hussey, and Clarke, Steve Smith has a better avg than the others batting 5, and apart from those mentioned, has more runs to his name in that position... perhaps he will come to own the role... still, not sure how big M Hussey's feet are, but he has left huge boots behind to fill.
@ HatsforBats on (December 11, 2013, 10:26 GMT) - I am happy that Rogers got his 2nd coming (overdue by at least a year), but he is unlikely to get to 20 tests (would be a Cinderella story if he did). He has been invaluable. Smith can be carried, much the same way the Poms have at times carried Root. @Chris_P on (December 11, 2013, 19:34 GMT) - agreed re: Smith, Rogers & Watson. If Faulkner went & hit a Shield ton anytime soon - it would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons!
I think the South African tour would be a good place to consider a Rogers replacement. Perhaps Hughes.
And then we have Watson in the team @ number 3. He hasn't got a chance standing up to Amla with the bat. Where's the next Ponting?
anton1234 - Im a Hughes fan and believe he should definetely replace Rogers when the time is right. However, Im happy to have Rogers there for 18 months, giving Hughes time away from the spotlight to reenergise him game, his next chance might be his last so he has to be ready to take it. I agree with Hats4bats I see no reason why this team should be changed in the next two tests or for the tour of South Africa (injury dependant of course)
Personally, I'm a little confused by Roger's inclusion as on the verge of a dropping - he scored 73 in his last dig and set up a monster innings for the team. The way he got out was ugly but he'd posted the score. The second dig he didn't need runs and tried to bat more aggressively which, so far, does seem to get him out quick.
The plan seems to be to have Rogers opening to get us through a tough series then blood somebody else later for Warner's long term batting partner. Personally I like the idea because what got us into trouble in `10 was keeping players in bad form in the team after they just managed to beat middling opponents, see them crushed by England bowlers and then hurriedly recruiting half-baked talent that clearly wasn't ready.
Stick during the Ashes. Build inbetween.
Agree @Meety. Rogers has added so much stability to the batting, he blunts the new ball, making it far easier fro Clarke to come in at #4. Smith has shown, both in India & England what he has learnt from his hard work on his batting. The Gabba first innings he looked the best of our first 6, while we are going so strongly, there is no need to look at these. Watson, however, should be looked at, but won't be.
If Rogers doesn't perform in the thirst test but Australia win, I think it's time to ditch him, as sad that would be. He is 36, so it's time prepare Warner's long term partner. I think Hughes must play in the 4th and 5th test. Rogers had always been brought in temporarily anyway. I think he is more than happy to have played for Australia a second time. He has done a pretty good job in providing Australia with settled starts, without looking too comfortable.
@ HatsforBats "gladly the selectors are picking & sticking for the first time in years." You're right, it is a long overdue realisation. Just as Test cricket is a long form game, so is the development of players. They need to experience the variety of good opposition on international stage, and the opportunity to learn from their own mistakes. Rogers is not the most talented opener in Australia, but he does have a maturity and intelligence about him that is a good fit for the team. Plus, he places a high value on his wicket. He's not flashy, graceful or highly successful, but he does okay and tries his guts out, and that's what Australia needs. As for Smith, he is a long-term prospect, and would be better now if certain admin/managers hadn't tried to turn him into a Shane Warne. Give him a run and let him be the cricketer he can be.
@Meety, agreed, gladly the selectors are picking & sticking for the first time in years. Smith is one of the best performing and most promising young players in the country, even if he fails in Perth he's got all the attributes required for a long stay in the Australian middle order. Rogers has the talent and experience to succeed, but if he fails to make any other significant impression in this series he may well find himself on the outer when the next squad for the SA tour is announced. There is another left handed opening bat currently scoring multiple centuries in shield who might be pricking the selectors ears.
Smith is one of the best fielders in the world already, he has taken good catches, he takes key wickets with the ball, he got Bell in the last game too. He needs runs, but it was only 2 tests ago he got a test hundred, we can be quick to judge, he is a young player and there will always be inconsistencies with young players, we can't expect him to be a match winner yet, lucky for him the team has been doing well.
Don't drop Smith, that's just dumb, more and more people are realising that he is the is the only standout option for future captaincy. Plus he is a very promising batsmen, fielder and leggie, anyone who has bell as their bunny merits selection. Rogers is gonna find it hard to retain his spot for south Africa with hughesy scoring runs, unless he scores a ton by series end
Rogers and Bailey are similar because for both of them it's the final run. If either of them get dropped it will almost certainly be curtains on their Test careers. I think some people might find that a bit daunting and clam up. Concentrate on defence and forget to play some shots, or just be scared to play shots in case you get out and get dropped. Heavy pressure actually. .. The thing I like about both Rogers and Bailey is that they both seem to be actually loving the pressure because both of them are doing exactly the right thing. They both seem to be playing the game that got them noticed and selected in the first place. Rogers is still trying to stick around and not worry about the scoring rate early on while George is still slapping spinners for six. .. to me, that's the best possible thing any player can do under stifling pressure. Just be yourself and play the game the way you always do and bugger the consequences. If it doesn't work out, so be it. At least you gave it a shot.
We do need a few runs from them as we seek a 1600 run series aggregate winning margin. We are on track already.
please give chance to hughes. He may not good in turning tracks but a real fast track batsman. Hughes failed since his return to INTERNATIONAL.
Under the current structure, I doubt that either player is likely to lose their position before the end of the series. In all the hype of the MJ-show, & the Clarke/Warner plunder-thon at the Gabba - Smith snapped up 4 catches & Rogers has held a couple of good ones too (actually apart from Siddle in his follow thru & Bailey being tonked at point blank) - Oz haven't dropped anything. Smith & Warner add to the team beyond scoring runs.
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Under the current structure, I doubt that either player is likely to lose their position before the end of the series. In all the hype of the MJ-show, & the Clarke/Warner plunder-thon at the Gabba - Smith snapped up 4 catches & Rogers has held a couple of good ones too (actually apart from Siddle in his follow thru & Bailey being tonked at point blank) - Oz haven't dropped anything. Smith & Warner add to the team beyond scoring runs.
please give chance to hughes. He may not good in turning tracks but a real fast track batsman. Hughes failed since his return to INTERNATIONAL.
We do need a few runs from them as we seek a 1600 run series aggregate winning margin. We are on track already.
Rogers and Bailey are similar because for both of them it's the final run. If either of them get dropped it will almost certainly be curtains on their Test careers. I think some people might find that a bit daunting and clam up. Concentrate on defence and forget to play some shots, or just be scared to play shots in case you get out and get dropped. Heavy pressure actually. .. The thing I like about both Rogers and Bailey is that they both seem to be actually loving the pressure because both of them are doing exactly the right thing. They both seem to be playing the game that got them noticed and selected in the first place. Rogers is still trying to stick around and not worry about the scoring rate early on while George is still slapping spinners for six. .. to me, that's the best possible thing any player can do under stifling pressure. Just be yourself and play the game the way you always do and bugger the consequences. If it doesn't work out, so be it. At least you gave it a shot.
Don't drop Smith, that's just dumb, more and more people are realising that he is the is the only standout option for future captaincy. Plus he is a very promising batsmen, fielder and leggie, anyone who has bell as their bunny merits selection. Rogers is gonna find it hard to retain his spot for south Africa with hughesy scoring runs, unless he scores a ton by series end
Smith is one of the best fielders in the world already, he has taken good catches, he takes key wickets with the ball, he got Bell in the last game too. He needs runs, but it was only 2 tests ago he got a test hundred, we can be quick to judge, he is a young player and there will always be inconsistencies with young players, we can't expect him to be a match winner yet, lucky for him the team has been doing well.
@Meety, agreed, gladly the selectors are picking & sticking for the first time in years. Smith is one of the best performing and most promising young players in the country, even if he fails in Perth he's got all the attributes required for a long stay in the Australian middle order. Rogers has the talent and experience to succeed, but if he fails to make any other significant impression in this series he may well find himself on the outer when the next squad for the SA tour is announced. There is another left handed opening bat currently scoring multiple centuries in shield who might be pricking the selectors ears.
@ HatsforBats "gladly the selectors are picking & sticking for the first time in years." You're right, it is a long overdue realisation. Just as Test cricket is a long form game, so is the development of players. They need to experience the variety of good opposition on international stage, and the opportunity to learn from their own mistakes. Rogers is not the most talented opener in Australia, but he does have a maturity and intelligence about him that is a good fit for the team. Plus, he places a high value on his wicket. He's not flashy, graceful or highly successful, but he does okay and tries his guts out, and that's what Australia needs. As for Smith, he is a long-term prospect, and would be better now if certain admin/managers hadn't tried to turn him into a Shane Warne. Give him a run and let him be the cricketer he can be.
If Rogers doesn't perform in the thirst test but Australia win, I think it's time to ditch him, as sad that would be. He is 36, so it's time prepare Warner's long term partner. I think Hughes must play in the 4th and 5th test. Rogers had always been brought in temporarily anyway. I think he is more than happy to have played for Australia a second time. He has done a pretty good job in providing Australia with settled starts, without looking too comfortable.
Agree @Meety. Rogers has added so much stability to the batting, he blunts the new ball, making it far easier fro Clarke to come in at #4. Smith has shown, both in India & England what he has learnt from his hard work on his batting. The Gabba first innings he looked the best of our first 6, while we are going so strongly, there is no need to look at these. Watson, however, should be looked at, but won't be.