It must have been a reliving day for Chris Rogers as he finally ended his barren run of triple figures, after scoring a number of fifties for Australia in recent matches.
Rogers played a controlled innings at the Lord’s and stitched an unbeaten partnership with Steve Smith to take Australia to a commanding position as the day’s play was called off in 2nd Ashes series Test.
The Aussie opener was given a left off in the first over of the day, when Joe Root and Ian Bell failed to grab a sharp chance off James Anderson’s and Rogers ensured England would pay for it.
Rogers struck his fifth Test century, first at the Mecca of Cricket, to put his name on the famous Lord’s honours board.
“It is just something I can be so proud of,” Rogers said. “I scored a hundred at the MCG, a hundred at the MCG and for me to get one at the Lord’s was kind of the trifecta. It’s so special. I have got so many friends here, so many great memories and I call it home.”
“Steve Waugh said to me this morning ‘this is your ground’ and to go out and really make it count was something to be really proud of,” Rogers revealed.
Despite been in good touch there was pressure on Rogers, as he was drafted into the playing XI in place of Shaun Marsh, who played in his absence in West Indies.
Rogers was hit on the helmet during Australia’s training session in the Caribbean and owing to dizziness he was left out of both Tests against the West Indies.
“Looking at what happened in the West Indies and knowing that Shaun (Marsh) was a little bit unlucky to get dropped for this game, I know there’s pressure on,” Rogers insisted.
“And I’ve said it every time I’ve done a press conference that I’m under pressure to score runs, but particularly this series,” he added. “It’s such a huge series and perhaps being my last one (so) I’d love to remember it for the right reasons.”
