Rogers feels skipper is rising to the occasion
Australia opening batsman, Chris Rogers feels that being captain of his country can make Steve Smith an even better batsman on the International stage.
Smith was unbeaten on 72 when stumps were drawn on Day one of the third Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the home side posted a steady 259 for 5.
Standing in for injured captain Michael Clarke, Smith scored a match-winning 133 in the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane to give Australia a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
Rogers feels that Smith, who already has six Test centuries in 24 previous matches, is growing everyday into an even better player than he already is.
Rogers told reporters : "There's definitely an echelon of batsmen at the moment who seem to be above and beyond. Davey (Warner) to a certain extent and now Smudger (Smith)."
"It's phenomenal to watch and great to be a part of. (Smith) is just growing day by day and it's scary to think how good he can be.
"Someone threw a ball back at him today and he had the confidence to say a few words back at him so it looks as if he knows he belongs and he knows he's one of the better players in the world at the moment."
Rogers, who made 57 for his third half-century in three consecutive innings, has enjoyed his own return to form and feels that the early loss of opening partner David Warner, in the last two matches, has indirectly helped him.
He said: "I know it probably doesn't seem like it but there are times it can be a little bit intimidating batting with Davey as well. He scores so quickly that you can look up and think, 'I'm not scoring quick enough, I'm not being aggressive enough'.
"So I think at times I've probably got out trying to force it a little bit up the other end from Davey. Maybe it helps me just calm down a little bit after he gets out."
Latest
-
NewsGeorge Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow century leads thrilling England fightback at Headingley
The Yorkshireman made 130 not out and put on 209 with debutant Jamie Overton to rescue his side from 55 for six against New Zealand.
-
EnglandEngland top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
The hosts were 93 for six in reply to New Zealand’s 329 all out.
-
New ZealandDaryl Mitchell breaks record with another century against England
Mitchell broke Martin Donnelly’s New Zealand tally of 492 runs in a series in England, set back in 1949.
-
EnglandSuperb James Vince ton leads Hampshire to shock win over Somerset
Sussex’s five-match losing streak came to an end with a 17-run win over Surrey.
-
EnglandAdil Rashid to miss England’s India white-ball series to make Mecca pilgrimage
Rashid has found it difficult to make the pilgrimage due to timings and commitments.
-
EnglandJack Leach pleased with good luck but admits freak dismissal no collector’s item
New Zealand closed the opening day of the final Test against England on 225 for five after Henry Nicholls was dismissed in bizarre fashion.
-
EnglandStuart Broad stars on day one for England but error of judgement proves costly
Broad kept a week of celebrations going strong by striking before a run had been added and followed with the key scalp of Kane Williamson.
-
EnglandMatthew Mott expects England whitewash to ‘light fire’ under captain Eoin Morgan
Mott made an ideal start in his new role with a 3-0 one-day clean sweep of the Netherlands.