Sydney Test last for Rogers on Australian soil

Sydney, Jan 4 (IANS) Australia opening batsman Chris Rogers has declared that the Sydney Test against India will be his last on home soil.

The 37-year-old wishes to hang up his boots following the Ashes in the summer. With an experience of 11 seasons in English county cricket, the left-hander could prove to be a worthy asset for the touring Australian team.

"You never say never, but I kind of looked at the future and thought the England series and what England has meant for me would be a nice way to finish. So, hopefully I can get through to the Ashes. But if this is the last one then it's definitely not the worst one to go out on," Rogers was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald Sunday.

"You get to a point where touring can be quite difficult. Playing a lot of cricket can kind of get to you a little bit in the end. So, I'm looking forward to maybe new challenges as well, but they can wait for the moment."

Rogers, who has played 19 Tests yet, has hit four half-centuries in his last four innings in the ongoing four-match series against India, which the home side leads 2-0.

The Sydney-born feels that the Ashes would not be the ideal situation for a newcomer to replace him at the top of the order. Instead the home series against New Zealand and the West Indies could prove to be a decent platform to start one's career.

"Personally a new guy trying to play in the Ashes in England would be very difficult. That's hopefully on my side so I'll keep saying that," Rogers added.

Rogers has scored 1,384 runs at an average of 37.4 from 37 innings. He has also scored four centuries with a top score of 119.