Chris Rogers, the Australia opening batsman whose comeback Test following a five-and-a-half year exile came at Trent Bridge in 2013, has announced his retirement from the international game.

The 37-year-old had hinted ahead of the current Ashes series that it was likely to be his last and - in the wake of Australia relinquishing the urn in Nottingham last week - he has made it official.

Although he has been a fixture in the side for little over two years, three Ashes series have been crammed in and nobody on either side has scored more runs than the experienced New South Welshman.

The belated and successful run at the top of the Australia order has come on the back of a prolific career in the first-class game, which began with Western Australia in 1998/99 and has brought 73 centuries and 24,417 runs at an average of 49.83.

Not content with solely piling on runs on the bouncy pitches of Australia, Rogers has been developing his game in English conditions since way back in 2004. 

County cricket took the left-hander on a tour of the East Midlands as he represented Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire - scoring heavily for all three - prior to joining and captaining Middlesex from 2011.

What appeared likely to be a one-off Test appearance came against India in January 2008, scoring four and 15.

The disappointment of not being selected for a second time did nothing to derail Rogers’ domestic form, nor did a move to Victoria ahead of the 2008/09 season for whom he averages 50.49.

It was during a county season with Middlesex in 2013 that Rogers received his comeback call-up.

He opened the batting alongside Shane Watson at Trent Bridge, scored 52 as the tourists fell 15 runs short of victory, and has been a fixture in the side ever since. 

The first of his five Test centuries came later in the same series at Durham. The most recent was the 173 against England at Lord’s that helped Australia post 566-8 declared on their way to a 405-run victory.

He was a second innings half-centurion in the Fourth Test at Trent Bridge is averaging 62.42 during the current Ashes campaign.

"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," said Rogers.

"You are never 100 per cent sure, but I felt like this 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.

"It's time for Australian cricket to make a few changes and bring in a few new guys, a few fresh faces.”

Rogers, who occupies ninth position in the ICC World Test Batting Rankings, is far from the architypal gum chewing snarler at the top of the Australian order.

His technique is functional over flamboyant, although still pleasing on the eye, and his body language at the crease is understated rather than aggressive.

The trademark shuffling of the feet during the bowlers run-up creates a perception of nervousness. It’s an illusion. One thing Rogers has never lacked is confidence.

While the Australian approach, perfected by Ricky Ponting, is often to lunge forward at the bowler, Rogers takes a more pragmatic and less cavalier approach.

Waiting until the ball is right under his nose rather than searching for it, easing it through cover-point rather than punching through extra-cover, may not be the ‘positive brand of cricket’ that’s on everyone’s lips these days.

But - in practice, particularly in England - it’s the best way to feel the ball off the middle rather than the edge of the bat. It’s the way to be successful in the UK, and it has also served Rogers well in Australia, South Africa and Pakistan during his short Test career.

"I think you never stop learning," added Rogers. "I look back to when I was in 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.

"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."

“Not many people go out when they're scoring runs or taking wickets, it's generally not how it happens, so that's something to be proud of as well,” added Rogers about impending retirement.

"It would've been perfect to have won this 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."

 

Trent Bridge will host One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2016. Sign up here to be the first to hear about fixture and ticketing information for these two matches.