To get a century at Lord’s is special, says Rogers
LONDON: Australia were glowing with contentment after their batsmen dominated the first day of the second Ashes test against England at Lord’s on Thursday.
Chris Rogers and Steve Smith shared an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 259 to lift the touring side to 337 for one, the perfect start following their disappointing performance in the first match of the series which England won by 169 runs.
“It looks a pretty good wicket if a little slow,” Smith told Sky Sports. “If you get in you need to go big and the way we batted meant we had a good day. We’ll probably keep batting for a little while and try and post a big firstinnings total. We said as a batting group we needed to be more patient. I didn’t go too hard at Moeen (Ali) and just waited for the bad ball.”
Rogers was unbeaten on 158 at the close with Smith on 129, the pair continuing the consistent form which has made them cornerstones of the Australian batting line-up over the past few months.
“It is going to be one of the proudest moments of my career,” Rogers, 37, said after scoring his fifth and highest test hundred.
“To get a century here is special. It was an amazing moment.”
England’s only success was the dismissal of David Warner, caught in the deep for 38 trying to hit his third four off Moeen Ali’s first over, and their pace bowlers failed to extract any movement on an excellent batting wicket.
Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss in overcast conditions and watched his openers bat comfortably through the first hour.
England skipper Alastair Cook brought on spinner Moeen in the 15th over and Warner carved his first two deliveries to the mid-wicket boundary in a clear statement of aggressive intent.
The pugnacious left-hander perished four balls later, however, caught by James Anderson at deep mid-off to end an opening stand of 78.
Rogers, who flashed Anderson’s third ball of the match just over the slips, maintained the form which brought him 95 in Cardiff and he and Smith carried Australia to 104 for one at lunch.
The pair continued to dominate as the sun came out in the afternoon and Rogers cut Stuart Broad to reach his eighth fifty in nine test innings.
A subdued crowd briefly came to life when Ian Bell, at second slip, dropped a sharp chance offered by Smith off the bowling of Ben Stokes.
Runs continued to flow after tea and Smith hoisted Joe Root for six before pulling Anderson for four to reach his 10th test century before Rogers followed his partner to three figures with a punch down the ground off Anderson.
The partnership rattled past 200, Rogers passed his highest test score and Smith nonchalantly continued the prolific form which has brought him eight test hundreds since the start of 2014.
The second new ball failed to lift England spirits and Rogers eased Anderson to the third man boundary to bring up his 150.
He will resume in the morning on 158 not out with Smith on 129 and Australia look to build a huge total to put the hosts under pressure. – Reuters