Chris Rogers and Sam Robson – two Australian batsmen with vastly different ambitions – shared an opening stand of 259 as Middlesex turned the tables on Surrey after being forced to follow on in their County Championship clash at Lord’s.
Rogers, the 35-year-old left-hander, hopes to return to the Australia side against England this summer after being included in their Ashes squad five years after he won his only cap against India at Perth.
Robson, 12 years his junior and a right-hander, will qualify for England by residence next year after deciding that he wants to play for them rather than Australia, who he represented at Under-19 level.
Both players completed their centuries off 185 balls, Rogers having hit nine boundaries and Robson 14.
And, by the time Robson was caught behind hooking at a short ball from Zander de Bruyn, they had turned Middlesex’s 172-run deficit into a lead of 87.
Robson had made 129 off 223 balls with 17 fours and, although Joe Denly was soon caught at second slip off Jade Dernbach, Rogers was still there at the close on Saturday.
He had scored 131 off 240 balls including 10 fours and will lead his side into the final day 111 ahead with eight wickets in hand.
It was not what Surrey captain Graeme Smith had in mind when De Bruyn claimed Middlesex’s last man Corey Collymore leg before in the third over and he sent them in again hoping that they would bat as ineptly as they had done the day before.
Genius Selector
Guest
No. for this series dump Warner and bring in Rogers.
josh
Roar Rookie
For this series dump Cowan bring in Rogers.
Max Weber
Roar Pro
Out for 214.
John
Guest
Obviously in both innings, 5fa in each.
Max Weber
Roar Pro
We'd have to have a ridiculous at least 3 of Starc, Faulkner, Siddle, Bird, Pattinson and Harris injured simultaneously before Copeland would come into the frame, let's hope it doesn't get to that. Rogers and Robson seem to make a brilliant opening partnership- this is their third hundred+ partnership in as many games. They'd be my preferred pairing for the Ashes first test, it's such a shame Robson's going to slip through Australia's fingers.
twodogs
Guest
Crikey John. Mustave missed the last bit of you contribution. 10/113 off fifty? Hey this guy goes ok. Watched him at a match last October.good pace, accurate and troubles the batsman on more than the odd occasion. Australia could do worse and lately, most often have.
twodogs
Guest
Geez. Just goes to show the selectors can make you, or destroy you. Wonder if Rogers would have really bloomed if given half the slack watto got?
John
Guest
And deserves a chance , hope the NSP show some courage and back him, his UK experience will be invaluable. As an aside, Copeland did himself no harm taking 10/113 off 50 overs for vs Kent too, as a possible standby player he brings a UK bowling av of 22 and batting at 50. Australia could do much worse.
Richard
Guest
Rogers chances of playing in the first test have just gone through the roof. This guy really wants it!!