Chris Rogers earned a rousing reception when he posted his maiden Test ton overnight to keep Australia in touch at stumps on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test being played at Chester-le-Street in Durham.
What a gutsy dedicated dig from the left-handed opener who will be 36 at the end of the month, proving yet again you are never too old if you’re good enough.
And Christopher John Llewellyn Rogers is sure good enough, and has been for the five years he was ignored by selectors from his debut against India at the WACA in 2008 until Trent Bridge on this tour.
His unbeaten 101 was poetic justice for all those lost years.
And despite the fact he’s listed as a Western Australian via Victoria and five County sides in amassing over 20,000 first class runs, he’s a grass-roots St George man in Sydney.
His father John, a right-handed NSW Sheffield Shield batsman in the late 60a, played in one of the all-time great St George first-grade sides with Test men Norm O’Neill, Brian Booth, and Billy Watson, and State men Warren Saunders, Ray Flockton, John Wilson, and John O’Reilly.
The Rogers genes are alright.
And last night those genes surfaced, but not without some scary moments.
In the seventh over, Rogers faced three successive deliveries from an on-fire Stuart Broad.
He’ was on 16 when Broad struck him on the pad and appealed for leg before. Controversial umpire Tony Hill gave Rogers not out and England called for the DRS, which eventually showed the ball was pitched outside leg stump.
The next ball Rogers belted Broad to the boundary and there was some feeling in that shot.
The third delivery, and Hill gave Rogers out caught behind, so Rogers called for the Review.which showed he didn’t nick it, but it brought leg before into play. That decision was “umpire’s call” so that too was not out.
Having survived all that drama, Rogers settled into his innings and in the process watched four partners head back to the pavilion with just 26 runs between them.
David Warner (3), Usman Khawaja (duck), Michael Clarke (6) and Steve Smith (17) were all guilty of poor shot selection, or inexcusable lack of concentration.
At 4-79 and Broad bowling beautifully, Australia was in deep trouble chasing 238.
Enter Shane Watson batting six to put on 129 with Rogers, before Watson departed on 68, yet another top start but a poor finish.
Not so with Rogers who struck 13 fours in his 233-ball innings, the other six Australian batsmen struck 13 fours between them.
But at 5-222 Australia is far better placed and tonight Rogers will resume with Brad Haddin on 12 in a partnership that could make or break the bid for victory, especially having to bat last on what could well be a dicey track.
The Australians need at least 400, and they are only halfway there with half their wickets gone. It’s a big ask, but if this side is to mean something, anything, in the future, tonight would be a good time to start showing it.
Day one belonged to offie Nathan Lyon with his 4-42 off 20. Day two was Chris Rogers’ unbeaten 101.
Which Aussie will stand up on day three?
Felix
Guest
No, it isn't. Just because you think it to be true doesn't make it true, it's called an opinion pal, and in this case I believe yours is misguided and misinformed.
Hookin' YT
Guest
Hayden was a flat track bully axed for good until he was 29 and the great quicks were gone bar 2 well over 30yo. It is what it is.
Felix
Guest
You're going to write those blokes off are you? Sensational bowlers! I think you're trivialising a sensational career a bit here Hookin! He failed in the early part of his career, sure, but so did Clarke and he's come back alright (I'd drop him, but damn the man can bat and captain, if it wasn't for these two skills I'd drop him). He came across good bowlers his whole career, hit the end of it and happened to run into a resurgent England team!
Hookin' YT
Guest
Hayden came across good bowlers Ashes 2005...average? 35. Flat track bully.
Hookin' YT
Guest
LOL :)
Hookin' YT
Guest
Hayden played 1 series against Waqar. The rest were hardly late swingers at pace ala Ambrose, Donald and Akram. He failed miserably against attacks in the 90s that had two quality quicks from both ends. Ntiini? Vaas? Pollock? Gimme a break :)
Hookin' YT
Guest
I'm a Khawaja fan Praveen. I believe in his ability not where his head is at.
Felix
Guest
That 'Turkey Shoot' took place right about the time of Pollock, Kallis, Ntini, Younis, Muralitharan, Vaas, Kumble and Singh, and towards the end of Walsh and Akram who all sit comfortably in the top 20 wicket takers of all time. Yep they were rubbish attacks the world over.
ChrisB
Guest
Absolutely, I always valued the contribution of 90s warriors like Slats, the Waughs, even Taylor and Blewett higher as they stood up to the greats. Hayden and to an extent Langer, reaped the benefits if some very mediocre attacks in the early 00s. No surprise to me that Hayden started to struggle when bowling in some countries (esp England and SA) began to pick up again Ultimate flat track bully
Salt and Battery
Guest
After that innings, Rogers is entitled to celebrate any way he wants.
Ken Hambling
Guest
Sorry Hookin, i mistaked you for someone else, i think i confused you for block who is another person.
Ken Hambling
Guest
Praveen love your passion mate, but you might want to re write what you said, i think you meant take a bow, not take a bend. Classic.
Griffo
Guest
Him too
Salt and Battery
Guest
Praveen might be mistaking him for Khawaja.
Salt and Battery
Guest
Yeh, what a bunch of donkeys those neigh-sayers are!
JimmyB
Guest
Bend over?
JimmyB
Guest
If that is true then it confirms in my mind what an absolute nob Hayden is.
Ken Hambling
Guest
Praveen i see your point mate as Hookin has made a few digs on UTK in the past, but if you read his comment it actually makes sense, Khawaja's technique and ability with Roger's patience is a great combination, can't argue with that.
Wilson Flatley
Roar Rookie
I don't mind it to be honest, Bowlers celebrate exuberantly several times a match if they're decent; a batsman may only make a handful of centuries, a bit of a yell and jump is fair game.
Praveen
Guest
Rogers was great, he deserves to bend over,he has earned it