Generational change on the cards: Rogers

Former Australia opener Chris Rogers believes the national selection panel might opt for generational change if the Test team's batting woes continue into the second innings in Hobart.

With Australia humiliated on the opening day to the tune of all out 85 in their first innings – continuing an alarming trend of collapses in recent matches – Rogers has suggested the patience of selectors may well be wearing thin.

Defeat in Hobart would mean the series surrendered and a fifth straight loss for the Australians, with eyes then turning towards Adelaide for the pink-ball day-night Test from November 24.

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"I think they're (the selectors) thinking, enough's enough – we've given these guys enough opportunities, we want to see some performance," Rogers told SEN Radio.

"So I guess there would be a few guys in that side who are looking over their shoulder now.

"The fact is they're not getting the results they want to be, so therefore how do you go about it? Maybe the way to go is to identify a couple of guys who you think are going to take the side forward, and pick and stick with them – a few younger guys.

"The public will probably be a lot more patient with that and give them time to find their feet.

“I think that's a way they might go – we've tried the veterans, I was one of them, but maybe they're thinking now, let's get some of the younger guys in and just go with them."

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Rogers said Australia's batsmen have suffered from a lack of first-class cricket in the build-up to the series, a point that was refuted by Steve Smith in the wash-up of the first Test defeat in Perth but which looks more accurate than ever following the day one Hobart humbling.

And while the 25-Test veteran says changes loom if Australia's batsmen again fail in the second innings, he also sees the dire situation as the perfect chance for some "heroes" to emerge.

"I do think they didn't play enough Shield cricket leading into it, so you don't get into that mindset of just batting time … you still need those players who are prepared to bat 200 balls for 60 runs," he explained.

"While it might be a little bit boring, it will help the side.

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"I can see changes happening, and I think if they bat badly today or tomorrow, I can see quite a few changes for Adelaide as well.

"But (the second innings is) a fantastic opportunity for these guys – they're still exceptional players and I have a lot of belief in all of them.

"If they can get through some hard work early, then cash in and go big, then we've got a few heroes to stand up because possibly we need them at this stage."

Rogers, who spent the vast majority of his career in the relative obscurity of Sheffield Shield while the likes of fellow openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer dominated Test cricket, said there has been a culture shift in the competition that has made it a less effective breeding ground for Test cricketers.

"I don't want to be the guy who says 'when I did it' … but I speak to Simon Katich, David Hussey, these kind of guys, and the opportunities were just so few and far between, even to play Shield cricket," he said.

"You had to be ruthless to score enough runs to get in, and for me that almost creates its own winning culture.

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"At the moment, the way Shield cricket is set up, it's more about developing talent than actually trying to win the competition.

"So maybe there's an idea that we go back to – just pick the best players.

"Make it all about winning the Sheffield Shield and from there the good players will emerge that will stand up (in international cricket).

"But at the moment we seem to be allowing guys to get picked even though their performances aren't brilliant because people see some development in them and they might play for Australia eventually, and I worry about that."

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