Chris Rogers opts out of pink ball Shield game against Tasmania

Chris Rogers

Australian opening batsman Chris Rogers opted out of Victoria’s Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania after Cricket Australia(CA) decided to use pink balls in what is a day-night fixture. Rogers, who suffers from colour blindness, has already expressed his difficulty in facing coloured balls under lights. 

The board has, however, ruled out any talks of the 37-year-old being dropped from the side for future matches.

“The selectors have reiterated that no player is judged on one match.The four-man selection panel rate players on their consistency over a period of time and particularly their ability to perform in pressure situations,"  Cricket Australia’s team performance manager Pat Howard said.

Despite having a good season with Middlesex, the left-hander failed to notch up big scores in the recently-concluded Test series against Pakistan. 

Not worried about Test spot

Rogers also felt that not featuring in one first-class match wouldn’t have much of a bearing over his spot in the Test team.

"I've played more first-class cricket than just about anyone in the world this year, so I don't think sitting out one match for Victoria will affect me too much," he said.

"I just haven't had the opportunity to practice with (the new ball) because I've been playing so much.

"Given my last experience with day-night first-class cricket four years ago had its challenges for me, there are still a lot of unknowns and doubt about it from my perspective, so I've decided to sit this one out," he added.

CA are looking to experiment with the pink ball in the two-match home Test series against New Zealand next year.