Chris Rogers confirms he will retire after Ashes finale at The Oval

Chris Rogers has decided to end his international career at the conclusion of the final Ashes Test, which starts Thursday at The Oval. Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Agence France-Presse

London // Chris Rogers is retiring from international cricket after this week’s Ashes finale against England, the Australia opener said on Tuesday.

Rogers, 37, joins his captain Michael Clarke in retiring from international career after the fifth Test.

“I have had an amazing couple of years playing for Australia and enjoyed it and been part of some pretty special things,” he said. “But everything comes to an end.”

England wrapped up the Ashes with victory in the fourth Test that put them 3-1 up in the five-match series.

Rogers had suggested it was his plan to make The Oval his international swansong in what will be his 25th career Test.

Rogers, who has more than 24,000 first-class runs to his name, made his Test debut in 2008 but did not win his second cap until the start of the 2013 Ashes – at the age of 35.

The determined left-hander has since scored five Test centuries, most recently at Lord’s in Australia’s only victory of this Ashes series.

Rogers suffered a dizzy spell in the second Test at Lord’s and was forced off the field on 49 in Australia’s second innings.

Medical tests showed the injury was related to a balance problem in the inner ear caused when Rogers was hit on the helmet by a James Anderson bouncer during his Test-best 173 in the first innings.

Despite injury doubts, he was able to play at the next Test at Edgbaston. Explaining his decision to accompany Clarke into retirement, Rogers said: “You are never 100 per cent sure, but I felt like this (Test at The Oval) was the last one.

“There’s been a few things, particularly the head issues lately, so I am quite happy to call it a day.

“It’s time for Australian cricket to make a few changes and bring in a few new guys, a few fresh faces. It’s going to be a challenging time, particularly for the new guys, but that’s part of it.”

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