Rogers: Robson is ready to play for England
Australia Test opener Chris Rogers, who is captaining Middlesex currently, feels his former countryman Sam Robson is ready for the international stage with England after a string of good performances.
Australia Test opener Chris Rogers, who is captaining Middlesex currently, feels his former countryman Sam Robson is ready for the international stage with England after a string of good performances.
Australia-born Robson has been tipped as a front-runner to open the batting alongside Alastair Cook come the new Test season, and this week added to his credentials with a big century for Middlesex against Nottinghamshire.
Rogers said of his team-mate, after their side won by 10 wickets: "He doesn't have any weaknesses, at all. I think the thing he does well is he plays all-round the wicket, you know?
"I'm particularly happy for Robbo. I think he is showing everyone he's a class player. I'd be very disappointed if England didn't pick him. Robbo is ready."
The skipper was then asked about England fast bowler Steve Finn, who took nine wickets in the match after a tough period where he was sent home from the Ashes to work on his form and action. While he did well against Notts, there were still some rough and wayward spells.
Rogers said: "It's hard because I want to see Finny do well. But when you have such a period behind you when your confidence is shattered and you know you hit rock bottom almost, you need some time behind you with some consistent performances.
"If he went and played Test cricket right now he might easily do well. But, equally, if he bowled a bad spell the media and public will all put pressure on him and it may go the wrong way."
Finn's fellow paceman Tim Murtagh was also supportive, saying: "It was an issue that perhaps people in the press and more people were commenting on him. People saying he was hitting the side net and had forgotten how to bowl almost was a bit of rubbish, really.
"As you've seen from the first couple of games, he's not far away from where he would like to be. There are obviously still improvements that he's always wanting to make. It may well be a long term process, and he is still only 25 with a lot of time ahead of him."
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.