5 Players who could replace Chris Rogers in the Australian Test team

Chris Rogers retired from international cricket at the end of the 2015 Ashes series.When the cricketing globe’s entire spotlight was on the retirement of the big shots – Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Clarke, there was this silent guardian, Chris Rogers, who made a calm exit. After resurrecting a career, which at one point looked like ending with just one international match, the 37-year-old piled up 2015 runs till the last day of his play in 2015.As a batsman who stayed true to the definition of a Test opener, Rogers steadied the Aussie ship from one end when David Warner used to accelerate it from the other. But, who can fill in Bucky’s boots is a question that has been revolving around the minds of the selectors and fans for quite some time. Rogers himself has taken a few names, but the final decision as to who comes in rests with the Australian team management.Shaun Marsh, one of the players in contention who has already worn the Baggy Green can be least expected, considering the chances that have been given in the past. Here is a list of five promising players who can possibly replace Chris Rogers in the long run.

#1 Cameron Bancroft

Bancroft was the third highest run-getter in the Sheffield Shield with 896 runs

Cameron Bancroft’s name has been in the mainstream media with Australian legends like Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Justin Langer and Chris Rogers himself, backing his entry into the international arena.

This ballyhoo has high chances of turning into reality as the young lad, now has the numbers vouching his nomination. In what turned out to be a spectacular summer of Sheffield Shield cricket, Bancroft amassed 896 runs at an average of 47.15 to finish as the third highest run-getter in the competition. This includes a maiden first class double century in the testing turf at Perth.

His tactical sweeps yielded him a 150 in the spinning tracks of the sub continent, thus attesting that he can adapt to the conditions as good as a matured cricketer. He has been considered as a future star for several years and now it is time he is given that chance to prove those words.

#2 Adam Voges

Voges performed decently in the Ashes series

This right-hander from Western Australia has been one of those players who has been restricted to making cameo appearances, lacking opportunities to glue a regular starting berth. Having spent a major portion of his career in domestic cricket, Rogers exit has opened the doors of hope for him to finish his career on a high.

After a fair start in the recently concluded Ashes, he finished with consecutive fifties and shall be hoping to carry on this rhythm in the upcoming fixtures, if the selectors shower their mercy.

The top order batsman has quite an impressive table of numbers in first-class cricket, which includes an average of 51.20, backing the argument that he needs to play more in national colors. Though he is known as an aggressive batsman, his recent fighting knocks that stabilized the Australian scorecard have the other side of the story to tell.

With Michael Clarke out, the selectors might as well consider the need of an experienced player since, at times, it is better to go with someone in the 30’s rather than young blood.

#3 Peter Handscomb

Handscomb’s inclusion has been strongly supported by Mark Nicholas

Handscomb, another player whose name has been taken by Rogers, is a player who likes to spend his time at the crease and construct an innings. He comes as one of the most preferred future batsmen of Mark Nicholas who said that “Handscomb can stop the bleeding in the Australian batting order.”

He has played some crucial knocks for Gloucestershire and his recent knocks in India, where he also stitched fine partnerships to take the team to the shore, showed how well he has adapted to playing under pressure in tough conditions.

The top order batsman’s average of 35.05 is decent for an opener but considering the lesser number of matches and his technique that stands out from the others in the reckoning, Peter Handscomb is well on his way to clinch the baggy soon.

#4 Joe Burns

Joe Burns is one of the top contenders to be Roger’s long term successor

The 25-year-old is one of the top contenders to be Roger's long-term successor and he has given a good impression up front after his arrival in England scoring a fifty against Ireland. Having incorporated the art of patience and playing with a straight bat, Burns has been piling up runs in the domestic cricket.

Ever since he made his first-class debut with a scintillating 140, he has not looked back. After etching his name as the top run scorer of Queensland for two consecutive years, the ‘Bradman Young cricketer of the year’ finally earned his baggy towards the end of 2014. In his very second international match, he notched up half-centuries in both the innings, hinting at a fruitful career.

After a very good series in the sub-continent recently with a magnificent century, Burns would be hoping that the vacancy in the national team has been waiting for him.

#5 Marcus Stoinis

Stoinis has put his experience in India to good use.

If one needs to know how compatible and fine-tuned for a future in Test cricket, a look into his last 9 first-class matches will give the answers. He has made 8 half centuries in those matches, held in two different continents, where the playing conditions are contrasting. The Western Australian opener can swing his arms as well, proving to be a handy medium pace bowler.

He proved the Victorian selectors right after they picked him considering his piling of runs for Northcote. After learning how to tackle spin bowling during his bench-warming season with the Delhi Daredevils in IPL, he displayed his learning in action during the recent series in India.

If players like Mark Waugh and Chris Rogers have hopes on the young lad after seeing his performances in the domestic level, his cricketing caliber deserves a call from the national selectors.