Somerset locks in Rogers as mentor

Former Australia opener Chris Rogers is poised to return to Somerset after accepting a dual off-field role with the English county side.

The 39-year-old has been appointed as a batting coach and player mentor to the side he captained last northern summer in his final season of first-class cricket.

Rogers has signed a four-month contract for the first part of the upcoming England domestic season– from March to June– subject to being granted a working visa.

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“Last year (Somerset director of cricket) Matt Maynard and I floated the idea of coming back in a coaching capacity if I did retire, and I’m greatly appreciative that he and the club have given me this opportunity to work with the players and develop my own skills,” Rogers said.

“Coaching is something I feel passionate about as well as giving back to the game and I couldn’t think of a better place to start than at Somerset and learning from the staff there.  

“The club made some significant strides last year and hopefully I can help Somerset achieve some silverware in 2017.  It’s nothing more than the supporters deserve.”

Rogers brought his playing career to a close in style in September by hammering 132 and 100 not out in Somerset’s victory over Nottinghamshire in Taunton, the success keeping them in the County Championship title race, before Middlesex toppled Yorkshire and claimed the trophy.

The tough left-hander finished with over 25,000 runs and 76 centuries in a decorated 313-game first-class career.

Rogers made his last Test appearance for Australia against England at the Oval in August, 2015.

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He made 25 appearances at the top level, scoring 2015 runs at 42.87, including five centuries and 14 fifties.

Rogers hit four of his five centuries against Australia’s Ashes rivals, with his knowledge of English conditions crucial in his recall to the national set up in 2013 after he made his Test debut against India five years earlier.

Maynard said Rogers was “by far the outstanding candidate for the position”.

“Chris made a massive impact both on and off the field last year,” he said. 

“He was a huge part of what we achieved in the summer.

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“It goes without saying that we are delighted he will be working with us again in 2017.

“He knows exactly what we expect from our players and is familiar with the culture that we have created within the dressing room. 

“The young players will learn a tremendous amount from him and he’ll ensure that the more experienced guys maintain the high standards that they set last year.”