Chris Rogers to miss Australia's first Test against West Indies

Australia opener Chris Rogers will miss this week’s first Test against West Indies in Roseau after displaying symptoms of mild concussion.

The 37-year-old was hit on his helmet by a local net bowler during a practice session on Sunday and was suffering from dizziness and a headache afterwards.

And team doctor Peter Brukner has informed captain Michael Clarke and coach Darren Lehman that Rogers will have to miss the first Test in the two-match series, which gets underway on Wednesday.

Brukner told Cricket Australia’s website: “I assured Michael that, if it was him or anyone else, we would make exactly the same decision.

"This is a black and white rule now. If someone is concussed, they don't play."

Six months ago Australia batsman Phillip Hughes tragically died after being struck on the neck by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game.

And Brukner added: "I think most sporting organisations now have reviewed their concussion guidelines and we're certainly taking a much stricter approach than we did.

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“Concussion is a significant injury. We know that, if someone has not fully recovered, then they shouldn't return to sport, and that's the situation with Chris.

"I know it's not an insignificant thing to rule someone out of a Test match. We don't do this lightly but my first priority and Cricket Australia's first priority is to the individual player and his health. That's why we've made the decision."

Rogers is expected to return to training in the next few days, once his symptoms have subsided, and Brukner thinks he will be available for the second Test in Jamaica, but a final decision will be made later in the tour.

Rogers has already announced that he plans to retire from international cricket following the current tour and the Ashes series later this summer.

Shaun Marsh opened and made a hundred in Australia’s warm-up match against a WICB President’s XI and is now poised to partner David Warner at the top of the order in the opening Test.