Tara Murray
Former Gisborne cricketer Tom Rogers will get his chance to show what he can do in the BBL.
Rogers, who is originally from Bacchus Marsh, was named as a replacement player for injured Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell on Sunday.
Maxwell broke his leg in an off field incident, with no return date set.
Having dominated Victorian Premier Cricket and played for Victoria’s second XI, it’s another chance for Rogers to impress at the top level.
He played one game for the Stars last season as a replacement player when COVID-19 went through the team.
Opening the batting, he made 32 off 25 balls. He wouldn’t get a second chance for the Stars last season, as he himself was then ruled out with COVID-19 while the side was short on players.
Rogers said that he was thrilled to get another opportunity at this level and it’s great to be a part of the Stars again this season.
Stars general manager Blair Crouch is rapt to see Rogers back in green.
“It’s great to have Tom back at the Stars and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do if he gets an opportunity.
“We’re looking forward to a great start to the tournament in Canberra and then a huge night at the MCG on December 16.”
Rogers has been about the Stars squad throughout the pre-season and in the winter.
He played in the Stars team for the practice match on Saturday against the Melbourne Renegades. He opened the batting with Joe Clarke, who he opened with in his one BBL game last season.
Rogers has also part of the Stars Academy squad the last couple of years.
The program is tailored to assist player development, with the Stars playing a number of T20 matches in the Northern Territory in the off season.
Rogers played his junior cricket at Darley, Gisborne and Melton.
Speaking to Star Weekly earlier this year, he said it was unbelievable to make his Stars debut, a dream come true for him.
“It’s unbelievable and not something I’d expected to happen at all,” he said in January.
“It just happened pretty fast and I think that actually helped, because I didn’t have the time to have any negative thoughts.”
Rogers said he enjoyed the challenge of mixing with the game’s best in the T20 format.
“I’ve faced some reasonably quick guys… [but] there was definitely a bit of difference,” he said.
