Australia's Chris Rogers receives treatment after appearing to suffer a dizzy spell on the fourth day of the second Ashes cricket Test match against England at Lord's cricket ground in London, July 19, 2015. — Reuters LONDON — Australia remains “hopeful” that opener Chris Rogers will feature in next week's third Test at Edgbaston despite requiring further specialist treatment after succumbing to a sudden bout of dizziness during the second Ashes Test at Lord's Sunday. It had been thought the 37-year-old was a victim of delayed concussion, having been struck on the helmet by a bouncer from England paceman James Anderson on Friday's second day. But a London-based specialist said Wednesday Rogers was suffering a balance problem in the inner ear. Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said that while Rogers's condition was improving, he would remain in London for more treatment before a final decision was made on his availability for the third Test. “Chris saw another specialist in London this (Wednesday) morning who confirmed an injury to his vestibular (balance) system in his inner ear,” said Brukner in a Cricket Australia statement. “Chris's condition continues to improve but he will remain in London for further tests and specialized treatment. “We are hopeful that he will be available for selection for the third Test.” After two overs' play Sunday, Rogers crouched down by the side of the pitch and then sat motionless before eventually going off on 49 not out. The left-hander played no further part in Australia's crushing 405-run win, which leveled the series at 1-1, having helped establish its strong position at Lord's with a Test-best 173 in the first innings. Rogers was not scheduled to play in a three-day tour match against county side Derbyshire at Derby starting Thursday in any event. Australia does have a back-up opener in their squad in Shaun Marsh while all-rounder Shane Watson, dropped from the side at Lord's following Australia's 169-run defeat in the first Test of the five-match Ashes in Cardiff, has had spells as an opener during his Test career. Rogers missed Australia's recent 2-0 series win in the Caribbean with concussion after being hit on the head while batting in the nets. Miandad urges Pakistan to focus on consistency Former captain Javed Miandad Thursday urged Pakistan to focus on consistency after its one-day series win away to Sri Lanka. Pakistan thumped the host by seven wickets in the fourth one-day international in Colombo Wednesday to take an unassailable 3-1 lead ahead of the final match in Colombo Sunday. The win boosts Pakistan's chances of qualifying for the 2017 Champions Trophy in England but Miandad said the team must move on from the mercurial unpredictability of the past. “Our team is looking good now but we need consistent work on it because we should belong to the top four. Nine-eight in the rankings is not our position and for that consistent work is needed,” said Miandad, one of Pakistan's greatest ever batsmen. Miandad warned other teams were improving rapidly and Pakistan must take care not to slip back. “We have to compete at the top level and with teams like Bangladesh and England showing great improvement we have to lift ourselves so that we can compete with teams like Australia, South Africa and India,” he said. “Bangladesh has proved its rise by beating teams like Pakistan, India and South Africa so cricket is changing and to be in that race we have to rise consistently and stick to basics which we had not been doing.” Bangladesh rose to seventh in the ICC rankings after crushing series wins over Pakistan, India and South Africa in home one-day series since April this year. Another former captain, Inzamamul Haq, praised the team's dynamism, after some unusually athletic fielding helped it to victory over Sri Lanka. “Pakistan have shown they are a vibrant team and has shown improvement in all three departments and that is a good sign,” he said. — Agencies
