'Gades new recruit well schooled in staying grounded

A week after the end of last summer's Big Bash – which was easily his best season in the competition – Tom Rogers was back facing the music again.

But rather than staring down some of the most destructive batters in the T20 cricket in the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Mitch Marsh, his year 12 students posed a much different challenge.

Having lost his state contract at the end of the 2020-21 season, and with the immediate need to earn a living, Rogers went back to work as a full-time high-school health and physical education teacher.

"The benefit of walking into the classroom every day is some of the kids are pretty quick to bring you back down to earth no matter what you do on the telly," Rogers told cricket.com.au.

"There's a great crew that get around you but if you get on the wrong side of one, they're pretty quick to remind you."

Rogers was one of the last players on the Hurricanes list last season, filling spot number 17 of 18 just a few weeks before the start of KFC BBL|11.

But strolling back into the classroom in February with 20 scalps under his belt, the fiery right-arm quick was in a much different position to June 2021.

As the equal fourth highest wicket-taker for the season alongside Rashid Khan, Rogers was suddenly a wanted commodity among other Big Bash clubs.

And it didn't take the Melbourne Renegades long to come knocking, signing him to a two-year deal that will keep him at the club until the end of BBL|13.

While the 28-year-old credits his return to full-time teaching for sharpening his focus on skills development, Rogers is also aware of the expectation that comes following a breakout season.

"You've sometimes got to prioritise your training between skills and strength and conditioning (when you've got full-time work as well)," Rogers said.

"When I was in the system and got injured, I tried to be super fit and super strong and it may have led to a little bit of detriment (in my skills).

"I guess I'm just prioritising skills a little bit more now.

"(My school) have been really supportive.

"I don't think it's a coincidence I'm having a bit of success and having them accommodate my schedule the way they have been, so I'm very thankful for that."

Realising unrealistic ambitions were actually weighing him down early in his career, Rogers has refocussed and is now intent on maximising his skill set within his role.

Despite losing 31 of their past 42 matches and finishing bottom of the ladder for the past three seasons, Rogers said he was attracted to the 'Gades by the clear direction of general manager James Rosengarten and head coach David Saker on what they want to achieve over the next couple of seasons.

He's also going to relish the chance to play alongside established senior players Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Nic Maddinson, and work with veteran quick Kane Richardson in the Power Surge and at the death.

And he's keen to see the "pretty crazy" exploits of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mackenzie Harvey up close.

His first taste with his new club will come next month when he turns out for the Renegades Academy in Darwin as they take on the Melbourne Stars Academy, Papua New Guinea, Strike League All-Stars XI and Cricket Australia XI in a Top End T20 tournament from August 11-21.

Having played both a Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup match for the Tigers at the end of last summer – which was his first first-class appearance since February 2019 – Rogers hopes the Top End stint will also have him primed for a state recall at the beginning of the summer.

Still without a state contract and with 10 bowlers already on Tasmania's list – six of which he acknowledges are "well established at first-class level" – Rogers is also determined to hold on to teaching for a long as he can.

"I know very well that cricket can fall in a heap pretty quick," he said.

"You can get injured, form can go down, so I guess that just depends on the upcoming summer, get to the end of the school year and get through the Big Bash and see where it all lands.

"I've jumped in and out of contracts a couple of times now so I'm trying my best to remain focused on my role, my jobs, my skill set."

Melbourne Renegades BBL|12 squad (so far): Nic Maddinson (c), Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers