Phenomenal batting over the last year has rocketed Steve Smith up the world’s Test rankings to No 1. But Chris Rogers, the oldest cricketer at Edgbaston overnight, has been the unsung hero.
Rogers will be 38 next month, but in his last 10 digs he has been the most consistent opening Test batsman in world cricket with 55, 55, 57, 69, 95, 56, 95, 173, 49*, and 52.
Nine times over 50, with the unbeaten 49 in the second innings at Lord’s his only miss when he retired with dizziness.
FULL SCOREBOARD FROM DAY 1 AT EDGBASTON
As a result, Rogers is ranked ninth in the latest Test rankings, with his opening patrner David Warner ranked 10.
So Australia has three in the world’s top 10, which makes it hard to comprehend how the baggy greens crashed for 136 after winning the toss.
Take out Rogers’ 52, and the rest of the batting order looked more like an international mobile number.
Warner (2) played down the wrong line to Jimmy Anderson and was trapped in front.
Smith (7) played at Steve Finn well away from his body to be caught low down at first slip by Alastair Cook, a rare failure.
Michael Clarke (10) played all over a Finn yorker and was bowled.
Adam Voges (16) held his bat out to dry facing Anderson and was caught behind.
Mitchell Marsh (0) chased Anderson wide of off stump and was caught behind for a third ball duck.
Peter Nevill (2), who was a shock selection over an available Brad Haddin, shouldered arms and was bowled by Anderson.
Mitchell Johnson (3) thick-edged Anderson to gully where Ben Stokes held a hot chance. Johnson passed the 2000 Test runs mark when he opened his account.
Mitchell Starc (11) held his bat out to dry off Broad and was caught behind.
And Nathan Lyon (11) was clean bolwed by Broad.
Josh Hazlewood remained not out on 14 with three boundaries.
Anderson, who hadn’t taken a wicket in his last three innings against the Australians in this series with 0-33, 0-99, and 0-38, came back with a vengeance with a superb 6-47 off 14.4.
Finn, back in the side for the first time in two years, claimed 2-44 off 12, and Broad’s 2-38 off 10 made Australia pay.
At stumps on Day 1, England was 3-133 in reply, with Adam Lyth (10), Cook (34), and Ian Bell (53) in a form reversal, back in the shed – Cook to a freak dismissal with a full-blooded hook straight into Voges’ stomach at short leg, the ball never hit his hands and he virtually held the chance with his elbows.
The Australian pace attack was all over the shop with far too much rubbish – Hazlewood 1-50 off 10, Johnson 0-30 off 5, Starc 0-39 off 9, and Marsh 0-17 off 3.
But offie Lyon was spot on with 2-3 off 2.
It was England’s day with the dangerous Joe Root not out 30, and newcomer Johnny Bairstow on 1.
Two milestones are imminent – Mitchell Johnson needs just one and Broad two for them both to reach 300 Test wickets.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
I love Rogers. He's become my favourite player. Just in time for him to retire at the end of the series. Classic.
riddler
Guest
he is a quality character.. need more of them in oz sport.. and at 38.. love it!!!
peter chrisp
Guest
Could not agree more imagine if Chris Rogers failed in this innings hat to think what the score would have been.
NickBrisbane
Guest
When did Warner last make a good score?
Don Freo
Guest
"Unsung"? Who's not singing? Young Bucky is well s..ung!!!
HB
Roar Rookie
You got your stats wrong; you left out Rogers' 10 from the second innings in Cardiff. Also, how is he an 'unsung' hero? A lot has been written about his recent success.
CW
Guest
Bucky. Even the best would have struggled in those swinging conditions. Once Smith went. Panic set in. Anderson had the ball on a string. Apart from Mitch Marsh, most got out to almost unplayables. The bottom line is we should have been making the most of the favorable morning bowling conditions not England. The Aussie brains trust stuffed up.
CW
Guest
Starc and Johnson sprayed the ball as they struggled with the swing. But we are used to these two firebrands gifting runs. Not so with the clever and oft reliable Josh Hazlewood. He also lost his radar at vital times in his second spell. When did big Hazey last concede 50 runs off just 10 overs? Not since the ODI World Cup me thinks. If at all.
Sango
Guest
Yep Rogers is a gun, hope he stays around forever. Also makes a good solid partner for Warner.
CW
Guest
Gotta agree about Tubs and those other Nine drongos advocating for blokes to "play your natural game". Bum down and watch the bloody ball would have been better advice. Mitch Marsh was a prime example of that "natural game" mentality. Let a couple of balls go . Should also have let pass the one that did him. No.Just had to try to drive a tempting ball. Too canny by Jimmy. A case of too much short format cricket.That could be the reason.
CW
Guest
Bucky is gold. Has great concentration. Waits for the bad ball. Plays within his limitations.The perfect bloke to have in the trenches. Above all he showed how to bat in English condition borne of hours at the crease in English county cricket over many years. Hope he decides to keep playing. We need him during this generational change.
GD66
Guest
I really like Rogers. As openers go, this is the job. He is PATIENT, scratches around working within the parameters of his shot selection, doesn't mind wearing a few for the team and was a well-justified selection for the previous Ashes series in England and this one. But have the rest of the team not twigged to what got his impressive batting stats to where they are ? He is PATIENT and you very rarely see him going out to an expansive, ill-advised reckless stroke. He accumulates runs largely by being there and awaiting a loose delivery or one that falls within his area of preference. You know, like a test batsman. It drives me nuts when ex-players commentating on the game (Tub is the worst) insist that when things get tough or a patient, thoughtful, responsible innings is required, the batsman is "far better off playing their natural game". No, they should play an innings commensurate with the state of the match. Incredibly, last night with Australia reeling at 7 for 98, Warnie was enquiring whether Taylor would declare so he could get England in and have a crack at the openers. Then, with the score still at a lamentable 98, he advocated the best thing to do would be for the Aussies to throw the bat. How did he think they'd got to that woeful position ? If that reflects the philosophy in the change room, we are in for a very disappointing series.