Chris Rogers to quit after Oval Test

Injury did for Ryan Harris. Form for Michael Clarke. Chris Rogers is fighting fit and at the tail-end of the most productive Test series in his late blooming career.

Nevertheless, England 2015 was always going to be Rogers' likely point of departure from international cricket, and in typically understated manner at Australia's London hotel he confirmed something hinted at for near enough to 12 months. Rogers will play his final Test this week, at a time when most will ask why rather than why not.

Certainly the rest of the Australian batting order will be left wondering at how he did it, having seen how fickle the game can be in going from looking like kings at Lord's to paupers in Birmingham and Nottingham. The remarkable consistency of Rogers over well past a decade in first-class cricket and two unexpected years in the Test team is testament to a thoughtful, unfashionable mode of batting that will more or less die out with his retirement.

In truth it may not even have lasted that long, as Australian cricket's desperate forward momentum had for a time looked to have consigned Rogers to the ranks of those who had made piles of domestic runs but never been given a decent chance in the Test side. In mid-2012 he pondered leaving the Australian game, as too many seemed to have written him off. Three years on he was able to look back with pride at proving plenty wrong.

"Greg Chappell said to me a few months back that he was wrong about me and I was quite proud of that," Rogers said. "I think a few people had a certain impression of me and particularly with my age and to be able to change that was quite satisfying. He was happy to admit I've proved him wrong. It was a really nice thing to say.

"I think it is time, I have had an amazing couple of years playing for Australia and enjoyed it and been part of some pretty special things but everything comes to an end and I have been pretty lucky. You are never 100% sure but I felt like this was the last one, there's been a few things, particularly the head issues lately, I am quite happy to call it a day. People tell me you know when you know and I felt like this is the right time."

Rogers has fit a lot into a short space of time, replicating no-one so much as his coach Darren Lehmann, who was 12th man in 1990 but not a debutant for another eight years and then squeezed 27 Tests and numerous notable achievements into that time. Rogers will finish with 25 matches, all but one played after his 35th birthday, and a selection of cherished - and occasionally amusing - memories worthy of many a longer career.

"Some pretty special moments," he said. "I think Darren knocking on my door in Somerset [in 2013] and telling me I was going to miss the warm-up game but I was playing in the Test, that was a special moment. The centuries along the way, Durham where I was probably in tears after I got the hundred.

"Winning the Ashes 5-0, being late for the team celebration and missing the prime minister... And South Africa, Ryan Harris really getting himself up to get those two wickets, that was pretty special. I've been so privileged to be a part of it and a part of this side. The individuals who've been in it have really welcomed me and it's been an honour to wear the baggy green."

There is a sense of satisfaction, too, about the way Rogers has not only fit into the Australian side but also been a valued senior player. From a time when he was far from universally liked in Australian cricket, he has been a source of advice for everyone from captain Clarke to the youngest members of the squad, and all enjoyed the fact that while he has been advanced in years, Rogers has always been young at heart.

It was something he demonstrated with a cheerful dig at his opening partner David Warner, the incoming vice-captain who he will retire ahead of in the world batting rankings. "I think I'm ahead of Davey Warner as well ... you can write that one," Rogers quipped.

"It's pretty special, someone said to me not many people go out when they're scoring runs or taking wickets, it's generally not how it happens, so that's something to be proud of as well. It would've been perfect to have won this series but it's not to be, England have been deserving winners and we've been outplayed. I think I can be proud I've played quite well and stood up, and made a little bit of a difference."

There were no concerted efforts from the selectors to goad Rogers into staying on, meaning the next question for all concerned will be how to replace a batsman more prepared to "bat ugly" against good bowling than anyone else in the current side, and several before it. There is a humility to Rogers' game that was once a staple of the Sheffield Shield competition, but is now near enough to impossible to find.

"There's always going to be players, that's not going to be an issue, it is about them learning, and learning on the job," Rogers said. "There's going to be a few young guys picked I imagine and then it is about having patience with them. I think they are going to go through tough times because international cricket is very difficult so it's whether the selectors can be patient enough and stick with them.

"It's going to be more difficult. I have heard people say send them all over to county cricket but it's not that easy ... generally you are only allowed one overseas player per team and generally they are one of the better ones in the world, so it's not easy. But we do have to find ways of improving our young batsmen and their techniques and their adaptability, I think that's the issue with our coaching."

For now, though, Rogers will prepare one last time alongside Clarke for a Test match. The fact the pair are retiring alongside one another is fitting in some ways, for both have had to fight perceptions quickly formed then doggedly hung onto by various detractors. Rogers joked that the captain was stealing his thunder, but there will be plenty of mutual respect when they walk from the field one last time.

"He's overshadowing me a little bit! I'm very happy for him," Rogers said. "What a career, I can remember him playing when he was 18, 19 playing for NSW and even then you could sense the presence he had when he was batting. He was always going to be very special. To share this moment with him is pretty good. He's been amazing to me since I've come back into the side and it'll be a nice moment.

"I think the fact it's Michael's last Test is going to be pretty special, and the other thing is a lot of guys are playing for their spots. It's going to be a changing team and people want to be a part of it. I don't think there's going to be anything less than 100% given it's his last Test, and we're going to be desperate to win."

By necessity, this has become a tour of retirements. Rogers will exit with fewer matches than Clarke and fewer battle scars than Harris, but there will be no less warmth in the way he is received by a grateful public. The infamous armguard will doubtless be looking forward to some time off, too.