Considered retirement after being hit in Brisbane: Chris Rogers

Chris Rogers

Australian opener Chris Rogers has revealed that he was thinking of retiring from the game after getting hit on the back of the head by a Rohit Sharma sweep shot on day one of the second Test against India at Brisbane recently. The left-hander played a crucial role in his side’s victory in that Test, scoring a half-century in a tricky fourth innings run-chase of 128.

The spot at which Rogers received the blow was close to where Phil Hughes was fatally hit by a Sean Abbott bouncer in November.

The incident left a lasting impression on the 37-year-old who felt it was time to call it quits.

“It was an interesting time after what happened with Phil. There are a lot of guys who are finding it pretty hard. Mortality hadn't really been an issue in the game,” Rogers was quoted saying to the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I fielded at short leg on the last day in the Test when Michael Clarke got injured in Adelaide, and I took one on the hip there, and I didn't do very well (with the bat), so I wasn't happy with my own form.

"Then we went up to Brisbane and day one I was under there and Rohit Sharma swept one and he hit me in the back of the helmet, and it's only inches away from where Phil got hit.

"So you just have different thoughts go through your head. That night I was pretty upset so I just wasn't sure which way to go. I had to speak to a few people close to me,” he added.

Wanted to get back to scoring ways after the UAE tour: Rogers

Rogers scored six half-centuries on the trot during the series, becoming the ninth Australian player to achieve that feat. On his personal form, he said that an opener’s job is to negotiate the initial part of the innings and then build on that solid foundation. He also said that he wanted to get back to run-scoring ways after having a poor time in the UAE.

“As an opener, you do the hard work against the new ball and then once you get in, you think it should get easier and you can go and get a big score," Rogers said.

“But I think the most important thing was to contribute. I missed out in the UAE (against Pakistan).

"It was a good (series) in the end. Personally, I was under a little bit of pressure and then missed out in Adelaide but bounced back quite well," he added.

Might play my last Test in England this year: Rogers

The 37-year-old also said that the upcoming Ashes series in England in July could be the ideal time for him to retire from international cricket. He had earlier announced that the Test against India at Sydney would be his last one at home.

"You never say 'never', but it might be a nice way to round my career out. I've played a lot over in England, it would mean a lot to me," Rogers said.

"But also, I think, looking forward for the Australian side, there's got to be a time when they start to rebuild the side, and maybe with the Tests that are on next summer there might be a little bit less pressure and it might be the ideal time for a younger guy to come in and get some experience.

"I can see the writing on the wall with that as well, but also I think time is nearly up for me. I'm getting on and maybe there's other things to do in life" the Victorian added.