Until this summer. The Australian batting cupboard, blessed for so long with names of the quality of Mike Hussey and Darren Lehmann who were for so long unable to make the eleven, is now decidedly bare. The retirements of Hussey and Ricky Ponting also mean that there is little or no experience available. Michael Clarke, as the only batsman left who could legitimately be called world class, will be vital to the side, which will make his back injury all the more frightening for his camp. Perhaps that is why the selectors turned to a 35-year-old.
At 35, Chris Rogers will finally be able to walk out and take guard in an Ashes Test.
All that changed in a tumultuous few weeks when David Warner threw a punch at England's cherubic new batsman, leading to his ban from the side until, at the very least, the first Ashes Test. Perhaps Rogers could press his case for a top-order spot? When Mickey Arthur was ousted, the question mark was removed. Rogers and Watson will be the new pair for Australia.
Chris Rogers, at last, will live his childhood dream. He will walk out and take guard against the new ball in the Ashes. And after the wait he has endured, it will surely taste all the sweeter.