Ed Cowan has leapt to the defence of under-fire Test opener Chris Rogers and backed the experienced left-hander to rediscover his form with the bat.
Cowan played alongside Rogers in the opening Test of last year's Ashes series in England but was axed from the side after failing in both innings at Trent Bridge.
Rogers, who's not passed 50 for Australia in his last eight innings, came under scrutiny again after struggling against India at the Adelaide Oval in the first Test last week where he scored nine and 21.
Cowan has been in sparkling form for Tasmania and hit big centuries in both innings of last week's Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia to put his name back in the frame for a Test recall.
However, the 32-year-old said he hoped to see Rogers get through his difficult period and revealed how he struggled to deal with the heavy scrutiny when he was in the Test side.
"I am fully supportive of Chris and the team to have a great series win," Cowan said.
"It's not a nice place to be in when the speculation starts to grow.
"He's such an experienced player he will know how to deal with the intense scrutiny.
"I am backing him to fight back and get some strength and resilience and get some big scores in the next few weeks."
Cowan scored one century and three 50s in his 18-match Test career and although his patient batting style is well suited to the longest form of the game, he was often criticised for batting too slowly - something he found difficult to deal with.
"It's something I really struggled with and I think now I would deal with it differently," he said.
"If you're on social media you shut down your accounts and don't read the paper.
"It's tricky, some people like reading they're under pressure and it can get them going.
"I sort of went the other way and tried to promote good thoughts rather than hear everyone telling you you're battling."
Cowan concedes his hopes of breaking into the side this summer are likely to be dictated by injuries and said a place in the squad in the Ashes squad that flies to England midway through next year is a more realistic target.
He also believes he'll be better prepared for the Test arena than when he made his debut in 2011.
"There's no more red ball cricket between now and the end of the Test series ... but I know that I would be confident if I did get the call," he said.
"I feel I am a 15-20 per cent better player than I was."
Share
