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Chris Rogers’ position in the Australian side was questioned by many cricket followers in the lead up to the Ashes. It seemed ridiculous then and looks even more absurd now after he made a fluent 95 last night.
While he fell painfully short of a ton on Day 2 of the first Test, it was his seventh consecutive 50 in Tests, underlining how consistent he remains, even at 37 years of age.
FIRST ASHES TEST – FULL SCOREBOARD
The veteran left-hander may well turn out to be Australia’s most important batsman over the course of these five Ashes Tests.
With dry, flat pitches expected throughout the series, if England are to regain the Ashes surely it will be on the back of devilish displays with the new ball by experienced pacemen James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
No player in the Australian side looks more assured against that accomplished pair than Rogers.
The last time Australia toured England, Rogers floundered against spinner Graeme Swann but dominated the home side’s pacemen, scoring 272 runs from them at an average of 91.
Overnight, Rogers first blunted and then plundered England’s pace duo, taking them for 56 runs from 75 balls without being dismissed.
His capacity for blunting Anderson and Broad is of extreme value to his team. How dearly England would cherish an early look at new first drop Steve Smith, let alone the chance to bowl at number four Michael Clarke with a new ball.
Rogers was not alone in facing pressure to retain his spot as the Ashes drew near, with Mitchell Johnson having found himself trapped in the same position.
This pressure evaporated following some venomous spells by Johnson in a warm-up game and then the retirement of spearhead Ryan Harris. But it swiftly has re-emerged just two days into this first Test.
With England likely to serve up similarly dreary, high-scoring surfaces across the remainder of the series, bowling in partnerships and building pressure on the batsmen will be crucial.
Australia cannot afford for two of their frontline bowlers to be hemorrhaging runs. Johnson and Starc both did just that in England’s first innings, going at 4.4 and 4.7 runs per over respectively.
The left-handed quicks seek wickets as a priority and struggle to shackle the batsmen in the manner which is familiar and comfortable for Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle.
This has been a major reason why the selectors in the past have been reluctant to field them both in the same Test XI.
It also almost certainly contributed to the selection of Shane Watson, who offers skipper Michael Clarke a frugal bowling option.
Starc started nervously on Day 1 before gradually becoming more assured. His lack of economy can be forgiven because he took five wickets, including the key scalps of Joe Root, Ian Bell, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali.
Johnson looked decidedly unthreatening by comparison. Aside from one spell on Day 1 when he peppered Gary Ballance with short balls, the veteran wasn’t incisive or intimidating.
His rampage in the last Ashes ensured that the English batsmen would start this series wary of or even worried about Johnson.
Not so now. Any psychological edge Johnson may have carried over has been swept away.
Peter Siddle is waiting for his opportunity and, for now, it seems the most probable avenue into the side would be opened up by Johnson’s axing.
The selectors apparently have been impressed with the way in which Siddle has bowled in two warm-up games and in the nets so far this tour.
They also could be swayed by his extensive experience in England, where Siddle has turned in serviceable performances on the previous two Ashes tours.
Johnson’s goose is not yet roasted but it is being licked by flames. Similarly expensive bowling in England’s second innings could have Australia looking for a more reliable alternative.