Rogers to open for Australia with Watson

Chris Rogers pictured at Lord's on April 24. Rogers will have the chance to revive his international career after coach Darren Lehmann confirmed Monday the veteran batsman would open alongside Shane Watson in next week's first Ashes Test. (AFP/File)

Shane Watson (right) joins in a cricket match on a barge in the River Thames on June 20. Watson will open the batting for Australia in next week's first Ashes Test, in partnership with Chris Rogers (left). (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – Chris Rogers will have the chance to revive his international career after coach Darren Lehmann confirmed Monday the veteran batsman would open alongside Shane Watson in next week's first Ashes Test.

Lehmann, brought in last week after Cricket Australia sacked former coach Mickey Arthur, had already indicated all-rounder Watson would be returning to the top of the order.

But with Australia's squad featuring several openers, that still left some doubt about the identity of Watson's first-wicket partner.

However, former Australia batsman Lehmann ended speculation Monday by announcing the 35-year-old Rogers, who has enjoyed several successful stints in English county cricket, would open having made his lone Test appearance five years ago when he scored 15 and four against India.

Lehmann's announcement did little for the already slim chances of opener David Warner, banned until the start of the first Test in Nottingham on July 10 after punching England's Joe Root in a Birmingham bar, featuring at Trent Bridge.