Rogers feels skipper is rising to the occasion

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Cricket365
December 27, 2014

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."