Victorian coach and former Test opener Chris Rogers on emerging opener Campbell Kellaway

Two standout knocks highlighted a breakout year for a young Victorian, and he’s building a strong case to step into a forthcoming Test role.

One innings was “incredible” and the other “unbelievable”.

Together, they were proof to Victorian coach Chris Rogers of an apprenticeship well served for rising opener Campbell Kellaway.

Rogers says Kellaway’s breakout summer, highlighted by centuries against South Australia and Western Australia, showed his progress and potential to reach Test level.

Rogers knows a thing or two about first class runs against the new ball, having hit 25,470 himself, and thinks Kellaway could be a good foil for teen tyro Sam Konstas.

“The thing with (Kellaway); Konstas is the one they’ve (Australian selectors) projected as the opening batter, so from my point of view, the other opener almost has to be a left-hander,” Rogers said.

“When was the last time Australia had two outstanding right-handed opening batters? I think with the LBW rule, left-handers statistically have an advantage, I’ve read.

“I would say Australia needs to be thinking about a left-handed opening batter to take Usman’s (Khawaja) spot and there’s not a heap of them around.

“Campbell could be the one if he keeps improving; there’s still a bit to go with him, but I think he’s got the skill set that could get him there.”

Campbell Kellaway raises the bat for his ‘incredible’ century against Western Australia earlier this year. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Kellaway struck 738 Sheffield Shield runs at 41 and a further 156 runs across three innings in the One-Day Cup.

Rogers said the 22-year-old worked on technical adjustments and had “great learning moments” before last season.

The former Aussie Test opener sympathises with Konstas, as those learning moments are being discovered under the brightest of spotlights.

“When you go through that stuff it’s going to take time, and the other thing is trying to understand the rhythms of the game,” he said.

“I’ve talked to (Kellaway) about some of the decisions he’s made in critical moments which he got wrong at the time and they’re great learning moments.

“You’ve almost got to walk through that door, go and experience it and he has … so it’s starting to come together.

“That’s why I feel for Konstas … how many times has he had to go and bat in professional cricket for six overs at the end of the day? I’m guessing maybe twice.

“Trying to learn that on the job, playing for Australia, good luck. And he made a mistake, that’s a ball (Konstas’ second Test dismissal) you should be leaving.

“But (Konstas is) trying to learn that, that is so hard and sometimes you’ve got to go through and learn all these things before you come out the other side and better for it.”

Rogers says “there’s never been a better time” than now for aspiring Australian batters and expects future spots in the side to hinge on who takes their opportunity.

“I think Campbell has had a really, really good apprenticeship,” he said.

“One of the things that really helped him too was his one-day cricket, helping him get forward and score, made a bit of a difference as well.

“Once he got that 100 in the one-day semi-final, it opened up the world for him, so I think he’s becoming a more complete player.

“The opportunity is there, it’s just now up to him to be good enough and hungry enough to grind away and make consistent big scores.”

Kellaway headlines a trio of talented young Victorians who have all made promising steps.

Rogers thinks Kellaway, Harry Dixon and Oliver Peake each have the talent to reach the next level – and he isn’t ruling out another one of his players either.

Harry Dixon impressed in his debut state level season. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Victorian coach Chris Rogers isn’t willing to rule out Matt Short for a baggy green. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“They’ve all got work to do and they know it, they’ve all got performances they’ve got to consistently get on the board,” he said.

“It’s there for the taking ahead of them and hopefully it’s not just that three, hopefully there’s a few others.

“The other one is Matt Short. Whenever he plays red-ball cricket for Victoria we are a much better side, he just doesn’t play enough of it.

“It’s one of these anomalies in the schedule where the white-ball players don’t play a lot of red-ball cricket and then make it hard for themselves to get into the Test team.

“I think Shorty could be an excellent Test player because he can play fast bowling and he can hit spin. He’ll get better and better against spin as well.

“I don’t think the door is shut for a couple of others as well.”