Australia's Chris Rogers confirms retirement from international cricket

Chris Rogers joins skipper Michael Clarke in retiring from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test

Australian Test opener Chris Rogers has confirmed that he will be retiring from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test, Cricket Australia’s official website reports. The final Test gets underway at The Oval from Thursday and Rogers, who will turn 38 in two weeks time confirmed that he will be joining skipper Michael Clarke in playing their final match for the national team.

Rogers has been in tremendous form in the Ashes series so far and is the leading run scorer in the series for Australia. He would have become their oldest Test player had he chosen to play on with Australia set to tour Bangladesh in October but is sticking to his decision ahead of the tour to England of quitting from the international scene after The Ashes.

Rogers made his Test debut in 2008 against India but had to wait more than five years for his next taste of the Baggy Green. Just like his final series, that came gainst England as he was selected for the 2013 Ashes series and he has never looked back since.

He is just 28 runs of completing 2000 runs and will be hopeful of achieving the landmark in what would be just his 25th Test match. Rogers said that he has enjoyed his time with the national team but felt that it was time to move on and give the younger batsmen a chance.

"I have had an amazing couple of years playing for Australia and enjoyed it and been part of some pretty special things, but everything comes to an end," Rogers said at the team's London hotel today. "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."

Rogers had suffered two knocks to the head in recent times – once during Australia’s tour to the West Indies, which forced him to miss two Tests in the Carribean and another during the second Ashes Test which forced him to retire hurt while batting in the second innings. He confirmed any rethinking on his decision due to his superb form were neutralised by the head injuries.

"You are never 100% sure, but I felt like this (Test) 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,” he said.

Rogers also expressed happiness that he was able to prove many doubters including Australian great Greg Chappell, wrong with his talking with the bat.

"Greg Chappell said to me a few months back that he was wrong about me, and I was quite proud of that. I think a few people had a certain impression of me, particularly with my age, and to be able to change that was quite satisfying."

"It would've been perfect to have won this (Ashes) series, but it's not to be – England have been deserving winners and we've been outplayed. But I think I can be proud that I've played quite well and stood up, and made a little bit of a difference."

Further elaborating on his view that age is just a number, Rogers opined that 35-year-old Michael Klinger should be given a chance in the Test team.

"I think you never stop learning, I look back to when I was my mid-20s, and I still had so much to learn about my game. That's not to say I couldn't play at that age, but I have only got better over time. It's wrong to discount those guys who are getting better. I look at 'Maxy' (Michael) Klinger and I think he is one guy who looks like he is still learning the game and wanting to get better,” Rogers said.

Tributes pour in for Rogers

Cricket players, past and present has taken to Twitter to praise Rogers who will quit international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test.

Congratulations Chris Rogers on an outstanding test career, showing true grit & determination in the face of adversity, you'll be missed!

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) August 18, 2015

Congrats Chris Rogers on your retirement. Brilliant bloke who has given hope to every red haired nerd in Australia! http://t.co/1sipbJH0rE

— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) August 18, 2015