READ MORE - BDCA round seven preview
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
READ MORE - Weekend BDCA, EVCA teams
READ MORE - BDCA, EVCA Addy MVP rankings top 25 performers
FOR Kristian Rogers, the enjoyment he gets from the game of cricket remains as strong as it was when he played his first game for Strathfieldsaye in 1988.
That's why more than 30 years on Rogers is still playing in the BDCA and on Saturday will become the first player to the 400-game milestone for the Jets.
Rogers will play game 400 when the Jets take on Bendigo United at Harry Trott Oval in the second XI.
"Getting a few runs and taking a couple of wickets... I still really enjoy it on a Saturday," Rogers, 48, said this week.
"Cricket is just like anything else where if it's something you enjoy and can still compete, you keep going."
For as long as he can remember cricket was an integral part of Rogers' life long before he played his first senior game for the Jets in 1988-89.
"My dad (Eric) was a very good cricketer and from a very young age I'd go and watch him every Saturday for Mandurang and Strathfieldsaye," Rogers said.
"So from a very young age cricket has been a big part of my life."
Rogers reaching the 400-game mark for the Jets comes 20 seasons after he was part of what remains the club's sole BDCA first XI premiership in 2000-01 when Strathfieldsaye beat Strathdale-Maristians in a rain-affected grand final.
Getting a few runs and taking a couple of wickets... I still really enjoy it on a Saturday
- Kristian Rogers
One of his team-mates in the 2001 premiership, Greg Lyon, will also be playing alongside Rogers on Saturday.
"That was a fantastic season. We had a few blokes in Robbie Herbert, Mark Blabey and Tim Rodda who came in and really lifted the side," Rogers said.
"I had a pretty good season that year, but ended up making a duck in the grand final."
Rogers was the Jets' leading run-scorer in their memorable 2000-01 premiership season with 429.
Across his 399 games for the Jets - which takes in 134 first XI, 208 second XI, 52 third XI and five EVCA matches - Rogers has amassed 7774 runs at an average of 22.21.
Known around the club as "Shakey", Rogers has cracked five centuries, with a highest score of 135 against Bendigo United in the third XI in 2007-08.
With the ball Rogers has captured 428 wickets at an average of 20.3 with seven five-wicket hauls and best figures of 8-26 against California Gully in 1992-93.
A jack of all trades, Rogers also has two stumpings as a wicket-keeper, as well as 150 catches.
As well as his 2000-01 first XI premiership, Rogers has also won a second XI flag in 2006-07 and third XI flag in 2008-09, while he is passing on his wealth of knowledge as a junior coach.
"He always gives everything he's got with bat and ball," Strathfieldsaye president Brent Yates said.
"He has had a great career on the field, but he has also done a lot of junior coaching and is having a great impact with our young players.
"He has given a lot to the club over a long time and to get to 400 games is a great achievement."
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Bendigo Advertiser, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Bendigo's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.