Rogers holds hope for Test return

	Eyes on the prize: Chris Rogers is looking for another prolific summer © Getty Images
Related Links Players/Officials: Chris Rogers | Shane Watson Series/Tournaments: Sheffield Shield | Australian Domestic Season Teams: Australia | Victoria

Chris Rogers has not given up hope of adding to his one Test cap but he has conceded that he was devastated to be overlooked when Shane Watson was thrust into the opening role during the Ashes. When the selectors decided to drop Phillip Hughes ahead of the Birmingham Test, Watson was the only realistic replacement option within the squad.

However, Rogers was stationed a mere 60 kilometres away in Derby and was in the middle of another blockbuster county season, which he finished with 1461 runs at 73.05. As it happened, Watson performed admirably and scored three half-centuries from his three Tests at the top of the order.

But it was a risky move to expect Watson to handle the new ball in an Ashes series when his only experience opening at first-class level had yielded awful results. Rogers said the unwillingness of the selectors to give him a call after an Australian summer in which he scored 1195 at 74.68 was frustrating.

"I was pretty disappointed not to be picked but you always are," Rogers said. "As an opening batsman there was a spot that became available so I thought I was a chance but obviously didn't get the call and had to watch the rest of the series.

"I know Watson adds another string to the side with his bowling, so I know there's those kind of team balances that you've got to be aware of. But it is a tough gig [opening] and it's not an easy one to jump straight in to. I still think there's a place for your openers who have done it all their lives."

When Rogers lost his Cricket Australia contract in mid 2008, six months after his only Test appearance, the selectors told him to go away and score runs. He started with 1372 at 57.16 in the County Championship that year and followed with two even more prolific seasons at home and in England.

It has left him wondering what he can do - if anything - to fight back to the top of an opening queue that has grown significantly since he replaced Matthew Hayden for the WACA Test against India. Simon Katich and Watson are the incumbents, while Hughes and Phil Jaques are likely to be next in line.

"I haven't had that much feedback and it would be nice to know where you stand but there are a lot of good players out there," Rogers said. "I've got to score more runs than the rest of them and then hopefully I take it out of the selectors' hands."

He can take some heart from the fact that, at 32, he is the same age as Katich when he was restored to the Test line-up after mountainous run tallies for New South Wales. Rogers' first opportunity to once again prove his form comes in Victoria's opening Sheffield Shield match of the season, against South Australia in Adelaide starting on Friday.

Rogers has had plenty of time to get himself prepared for the four-day competition, waiting at home in Melbourne and playing grade cricket while his Victorian team-mates reached the semi-finals of the Champions League Twenty20 in India. The Bushrangers are the defending champions and they will start the season with David Hussey as captain, while Cameron White is with the ODI side.

"I've had a month off and really looking forward to this Friday," Rogers said. "It's a big game for us and if we can start off well I think we'll have another good season."