Chris Rogers may replace Hayden

Canberra, January 11: Chris Rogers was all set to replace Justin Langer in this Australian Test squad after a stupendous run in the Pura Cup, but a disastrous Australia A tour to Pakistan — where his competitor Phil Jacques got three hundreds — and an appendicitis operation meant he had to wait for his chance. He also had to watch Jacques cream Sri Lanka and seal his place in the squad.

But once again Rogers can hope for a chance to wear the Baggy Green. Matthew Hayden is in doubt, nursing an injured hamstring and Rogers, who did himself a huge favour by getting runs when it was required—scoring 60 against the Indians at the Manuka Oval today—is the front-runner for the opener’s slot.

Before the Indians rejoice at the hint of Hayden missing out, they may well be aware that the bouncy WACA ground is home to Rogers and he has scored plenty of runs there.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a while and if it does happen next week, I do think I’ll be ready. I probably couldn’t script it better — to be at the WACA (Western Australia Cricket Association), my home ground. It would be pretty amazing I reckon. I haven’t really heard anything from the selectors yet. I think they’ll probably give Matty as much time and as many chances as possible to be fit.

“I guess I have a little bit of an advantage over other guys, coming from the WACA... I just have to wait and see what happens and if Matty’s not fit, what the selectors go for,” he said.

Rogers came good against Ishant Sharma today, and most of the other bowlers, though he reckoned Perth would be a different game altogether in terms of intensity and the nature of the pitch. He is a bit hesitant to talk much further, and understandably so. But Australia now have a choice to make —will they go for Hayden who is in great form but injured now, or will they opt for an youngster who has always done well at the WACA.

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