Cricket Australia said Friday that colour-blind batsman Chris Rogers’ decision to withdraw from a match in which a pink ball will be trialled would not jeopardise the opener’s Test career.
Rogers has pulled out of Victoria’s day-night Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania, starting on Saturday, citing his difficulties in detecting the experimental pink ball.
“The selectors have reiterated that no player is judged on one match,” CA team performance manager Pat Howard said, indicating the left-hander’s withdrawal would not be a major factor in Test selection.
“The four-man selection panel rate players on their consistency over a period of time and particularly their ability to perform in pressure situations.”
Rogers put on a lacklustre performance in the just completed series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, and at 37 his opener’s slot is under threat from the likes of Phil Hughes and Shane Watson.
But Rogers, who had a successful season with English county side Middlesex, said a one-game break should not impact on his chances of Test selection.
“I’ve played more first-class cricket than just about anyone in the world this year, so I don’t think sitting out one match for Victoria will affect me too much,” he said.
CA have pushed ahead with pink ball trials as they aim to stage a proposed day-night Test match against New Zealand in Adelaide next year.
“I just haven’t had the opportunity to practice with (the new ball) because I’ve been playing so much,” Rogers said.
“Given my last experience with day-night first-class cricket four years ago had its challenges for me, there are still a lot of unknowns and doubt about it from my perspective, so I’ve decided to sit this one out.”
Australia’s first Test against India begins on December 5 in Brisbane.
