WITH promotion now no longer even an outside chance, Chris Rogers is to leave Derbyshire early to prepare for the new season in Australia.

Worcestershire and Warwickshire will be promoted from Division Two of the LV County Championship no matter what Derbyshire do in their final game of the season at Leicester, starting on Wednesday, and so the skipper has been told he can go.

Rogers has had an excellent season for the county, averaging 57 with the bat.

His 1,372 first-class runs this season is the second-highest aggregate in the country.

This will also be an important summer at home for the 31-year-old, who has taken the decision to move from Western Australia to Victoria.

He will make his debut for his new state in a one-day match against South Australia in Adelaide on October 12.

"I've moved states and I've got things to do, so there is probably no need for me to be here any more," he said.

"I don't actually have anywhere to live at the moment, so that will be priority number one when I get back."

Head of cricket John Morris said it was a practical decision to allow Rogers to leave and does not mean that his team will go to Grace Road without a competitive edge.

"We want to win the next game and, if possible, finish third," he said.

"Chris could do with getting home and of course we want to keep the relationship strong with Victoria, so he can go early. He's been terrific for us."

Rogers' English season ended on a winning note with defeat of Gloucestershire at the County Ground on Saturday and he says he is already excited by the prospect of returning to Derbyshire in 2009.

"I think we played particularly good cricket to win this game," he added.

"We lost the toss and struggled but then really outplayed them and proved that we are a good side.

"You only have to look in our changing room and see how good the feeling is.

"I remember the last game of the season for WA and I didn't really want to be in there after the game but I feel at home here.

"I'm really looking forward to coming back."