Australia have said their opener Chris Rogers still has a chance of featuring in the third Test, despite the dizzy spell he suffered on the fourth day of the second Test win that forced him to retire at Lord’s on Sunday.
Rogers saw a specialist on Monday, and will do so again on Tuesday, with the belief that the dizziness was the result of ducking into a bouncer from Jimmy Anderson while en route to a Test career-best 173 two days earlier. The 37-year-old was treated on the field for a small cut behind his ear caused when the impact forced the helmet to break the skin,
Rogers, who missed two Test matches against West Indies in June with concussion, was in good spirits after the decision to retire ill while unbeaten on 49 during Australia’s second innings, and was with the team when they celebrated on Sunday evening. But he later reported to an independent specialist in London, accompanied by the team doctor, Peter Brukner.
“Chris’s condition is certainly improving,” Brukner said. “He has had scans and seen a specialist since [Sunday] to help determine the cause of his dizziness. The initial scans have cleared him of any serious damage and we await the results of further tests.
“It appears the most likely diagnosis is a delayed ear problem related to being struck on day two of the Test match. We are confident that this is something we can manage in the lead up to the third Test at Edgbaston.
“As a precaution he’ll be reviewed by the specialist in London again on Wednesday morning. Chris was not scheduled to play in the tour match against Derbyshire, so he has time to continue resting ahead of the Test match.”
Speaking in the aftermath of their series-levelling win, the head coach Darren Lehmann was optimistic about Rogers’ continued participation in the Ashes - a tour he has previously stated will be his last before retirement – and cracked a joke about the veteran’s involvement in the resale of tickets for the Lord’s Test, an enterprise that was shut down by MCC.
“He’s all right, we’ll just have to wait and see what the medical staff come up with,” said Lehmann. “He’s been an important player for a period of time. I think he’s made it clear he’s not going to come on the next Ashes tour, although he’d probably like to – as a tour host.
“He knows these conditions so well, he loves England and he helps our batters out, that’s the most pleasing thing. He helps our batters and bowlers about conditions here and, for example, Middlesex and Lord’s, all the angles you’ve got to play with the slope. He knows them so well and he’s a very important part of this tour.”
Australia play a three-day tour match at Derbyshire starting on Thursday, with Lehmann confirming that the three fast bowlers – Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood – would be rested for the fixture. That leaves the side with just 12 players available, with both wicketkeepers, Brad Haddin and Peter Nevill, expected to be part of the XI.
