Chris Rogers re-signs as Victorian Men’s Head Coach

Rogers has coached Victoria for the past three seasons – having first been appointed to the role in 2020 – and is now locked in until the end of the 2024-25 season.

The former Australian batter and a two-time Victorian Sheffield Shield winner, Rogers has overseen a transitional period with a number of emerging players establishing themselves in the Victorian team, culminating in the team reaching the past two Sheffield Shield Finals.

In the 2022-23 season, Victoria won each of its final five Sheffield Shield matches to qualify for the Final and was just one win away from also qualifying for the Marsh Cup Final.

“It’s been incredibly enjoyable to coach Victoria over the past three seasons and I look forward to continuing this journey we’re on as a group,” Head Coach, Chris Rogers, said.

“In recent years, our squad has had a blend of some excellent senior players alongside younger players who have needed time and games to develop. It’s been pleasing to find the balance between player development at this level and winning games of cricket for Victoria, and watching this group of players grow as a collective.

“The next challenge is to win a title – which we’ve been able to put ourselves in a position to achieve the past two seasons – and along the way to continue to have our players recognised and selected for higher honours.

“There is still so much scope for improvement in our players and our team, which is exciting for Victorian and Australian cricket.

“Western Australia has become the benchmark in recent years. I firmly believe this Victorian group has the potential to forge a successful era of its own, and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

During Rogers’ tenure as Head Coach, Victorian trio Scott Boland, Todd Murphy and Will Pucovski have made Test debuts for Australia, with captain Peter Handscomb and Marcus Harris also featuring for the Test team.

Emerging duo Mitch Perry and Campbell Kellaway have recently toured with Australia A in New Zealand, whilst Will Sutherland (41 wickets) was the Sheffield Shield’s leading wicket taker in 2022-23 and was elevated to the captaincy with Handscomb on international duties.

Matthew Short has earned a maiden IPL contract with the Punjab Kings, following a breakout season in all three formats – including ranking sixth and seventh respectively for most runs in the Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup competitions.

Cricket Victoria’s General Manager of Cricket Performance, Graham Manou, said it was a straightforward decision to extend Rogers’ contract as Head Coach.

“Chris has made a significant impact on Victorian cricket over the past three years in his role as Men’s Head Coach,” Manou said.

“He inherited a relatively young playing group and with the growth we have seen in individuals and the team, it’s clear that Chris is the right person to continue to lead this group over the next two years.

“Individually, we have seen players take great strides forward in becoming consistent performers for Victoria, and a number representing Australia or pushing for Australian honours. Qualifying for consecutive Sheffield Shield Finals highlights the development of players within our program, but also how this team has gelled under Chris and his coaching team.

“Through this period, Chris has continued to find ways to develop as a leader and a coach, to get the best out of the playing group. We look forward to seeing what this Victorian team can produce over the next two years with Chris at the helm.”