Neville Rogers

Neville Hamilton Rogers (9 March 1918 – 7 October 2003) was an English first-class cricketer who played for Hampshire. An opening batsman, he made nearly 300 appearances in first-class cricket, scoring over 16,000 runs and making 28 centuries. He is considered one of the most accomplished batsman to have played for Hampshire, passing over 1,000 runs per season each year from 1947 until his retirement in 1955. Rogers is considered unfortunate to have not played Test cricket for England, with his selection as 12th man in 1951 the closest he ever came to international honours. Following his playing career, he became a commentator for BBC Radio Solent.

Cricket career Rogers hailed from a well-known Oxfordshire cricketing family, with his father and uncle taking more than 1,000 wickets between them for Oxfordshire in minor counties cricket. His grandfather and two cousins (Basil and Herbert Rogers) were also first-class cricketers. He was born in Cowley and was educated at the City of Oxford High School for Boys. though he made only 696 runs at an average of 16.97. His output improved from his 28 matches the following season, during which he played as an opening batsman alongside Johnny Arnold, with Rogers passing 1,000 runs for the first time. He soon followed this up with a maiden County Championship century against Nottinghamshire, having been dropped at gully while on 19.

He was less prolific in 1948, but nonetheless made over 1,300 runs at an average of 25.70. In one notable innings during that season, Rogers made a fast-scoring century against Essex and shared in a stand of 99 runs with his captain, Desmond Eagar; their partnership was made in under an hour. In 1949, his batting average rose to 30.64 for the season in amassing 1,747 runs. The 1950 season was, to that point, his most successful, with 1,857 runs at an average of 36.41. Rogers was ultimately not selected to play during the series, with his selection as 12th man during the Fifth Test at The Oval the closest he would come to earning a Test cap. His form dropped in 1953, with Rogers scoring 1,549 runs at an average of 29.78, which contrasted to his previous two seasons in which he had averaged over 40.

For Hampshire, he made 285 first-class appearances, His highest score of 186 came against Gloucestershire in 1951.

Later life Rogers continued to play club cricket for in Southampton for Deanery Cricket Club and the Trojans, and in later life he was a member of the Hampshire committee, where he supported Jimmy Gray in his capacity as chairman. He was also a commentator on Hampshire matches for BBC Radio Solent. Rogers died in Southampton on 7 October 2003, with his funeral being held at Southampton Crematorium on 17 October.