Chris Rogers still suffering from dizziness; uncertain for the third Test

Chris Rogers still suffering from dizziness; uncertain for the third Test
London, Wed, Jul 22 2015


Chris Rogers received treatment after appearing to suffer a dizzy spell in the second Ashes Test. © AFP
Australia opener Chris Rogers is still suffering from dizzy spells after succumbing to a sudden bout of dizziness during the second Ashes Test at Lord's and remains an uncertainty for the third Test, which begins on July 29.

It had been earlier thought the 37-year-old was a victim of delayed concussion, having been struck on the helmet by a bouncer from England paceman James Anderson. But a London-based specialist said on Wednesday that Rogers was suffering a balance problem in the inner ear.

Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said that while Rogers' condition was improving, he would remain in London for more treatment before a final decision was made on his availability for the third Test.

"Chris saw another specialist in London this (Wednesday) morning who confirmed an injury to his vestibular (balance) system in his inner ear," said Brukner in a Cricket Australia statement. "He'll have a series of tests tomorrow (Thursday) in London. He'll have one further test on Friday, to test the nerve to that area and then he'll be reviewed by this professor on Friday afternoon. He'll also have some treatment, there's a physiotherapist who specialises in this area who is going to see him on Friday. There are various techniques they can use to help resolve some of these issues.

"He seems to be improving very steadily and it's a little bit early to say what's going to happen. But if he continues to improve the way he does, he should be back playing cricket fairly soon. But as to exactly when, we can't say. At this stage we certainly haven't ruled him out of next week's Test, it's just a matter of seeing how he goes over the next 48 hours."

After two overs' play on Sunday, Rogers crouched down by the side of the pitch and then sat motionless before eventually going off on 49 not out. The left-hander played no further part in Australia's crushing 405-run win, which levelled the series at 1-1, having helped establish their strong position at Lord's with a Test-best 173 in the first innings.

Rogers was relieved that the blow below his ear did not result in a concussion as that would have made things for difficult for him to get back, thus putting an abrupt end to his career. He had, in fact, missed Australia's recent 2-0 series win in the Caribbean with concussion after being hit on the head while batting in the nets.

"Obviously he's relieved it's not a concussion injury. I think it's fair to say that was a concern he had and we all had, given his recent history and so on. But that has certainly been ruled out. Obviously it's a similar mechanism and he's been hit in both cases, but it's a completely different injury. It should resolve and there's no reason to think there will be any ongoing issues with this balance problem. That's about all we know," Brukner added.

Rogers was not scheduled to play in a three-day tour match against county side Derbyshire at Derby starting on Thursday in any event. Australia do have a back-up opener in their squad in Shaun Marsh while all-rounder Shane Watson, dropped from the side at Lord's following Australia's 169-run defeat in the first Test of the five-match Ashes in Cardiff, has had spells as an opener during his Test career.

© AFP