Their battles in the backyard were always torrid affairs, but the Rogers brothers will join forces for the first time for the ACT Comets.
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Former Tasmania and WA batsman John Rogers will line up alongside younger sibling Tom in the last Futures League match of the season against the Queensland second XI at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane, starting on Monday.
John Rogers brings much-needed experience to a Comets side that has won just one game this season and is without captain Aiden Blizzard, who is out with a back injury.
Rogers spent several seasons in the first-class arena before moving back to Canberra late last year for work opportunities.
He has not wasted time getting back among the runs in the ACT Premier Cricket first-grade competition, scoring a double hundred for Weston Creek Molonglo and averaging over 100.
Meanwhile, Tom has been honing his skills as an all-rounder for Campbelltown in the Sydney competition while also playing for the Comets.
"This will be the first time ever that I've played with him [Tom] since the backyard - he always bowled, I always batted," John Rogers said.
"He's going from strength to strength and I'm excited about what he's got on the horizon.
"He's finally getting a little bit of a reward for all of his hard work.
"I hope he has a really good game and I'll be there cheering him on in the field and to get the chance to bat with him would be fantastic."
John Rogers has held back playing for the Comets until now so he can concentrate on his work.
His last game for the Comets was "seven or eight years ago", coincidentally against Queensland at the same venue.
Apart from Rogers and Adelaide Strikers batsman Jono Dean, the Comets will field another young side with players aiming to make the transition from club cricket to taking on full-time professionals.
"Watching the guys play, cricket is a game of experience," Rogers said.
"I guess I've learnt a bit more than the other guys, so I'm hoping to impart some of that experience into my own game and be successful myself.
"Hopefully that rubs off a little bit easier for the younger guys to perform to the best of their ability."
Meanwhile, Weston Creek allrounder Sam Taylor will replace quick Joe Slater in the Comets side after straining his quadriceps on Saturday.
FUTURES LEAGUE: ACT Comets v Queensland Second XI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, from Monday to Thursday. Play starts at 10.30am each day.
