Chris Rogers says his rapid-fire century in Melbourne doesn’t mean a permanent switch from the slow and steady mantra that’s defined his career.
However, Rogers admits he made an important breakthrough at the MCG cauldron by proving he can perform in the fish bowl atmosphere of a home summer.
When Rogers made his Test debut in Perth back in 2008, he failed in both innings and didn’t make it to the next match.
Despite his success at first class level it appeared his cards were marked never to play again, until he earned a call-up to the winter Ashes series in the UK.
He scored a maiden ton in a losing Test in Durham, but says his match-winning hundred in the fourth Test was not just the highlight – but the landmark moment of his Test career, as he’s booked his ticket to South Africa in February.
“I got dropped after the last home Test in Perth in 2008 so I was keen to make sure it didn’t happen at the MCG again this time,” he said.
“To win a game, get a 100 in a fourth innings and run down a total, in cricket terms that’s as good as it gets.
“To do it in front of the Boxing Day crowd was fantastic.
“It’s as good as anything I’ve ever accomplished in cricket so just enjoying it for the moment.”
Justin Langer has spoken about the moment when he found a higher gear with his Test run-scoring almost as if it were a batting epiphany.
However, Rogers said scoring his 116 against England at a strike-rate of 75 with 13 boundaries wasn’t necessarily an indication that he would abandon his defensive roots.
After a slow start to the series, Rogers says the crisp innings was at least proof he’s back at the top of the game.
“It’s nice to do that (score quickly) every now and then. But still circumstance dictates that you change up your pace,” he said.
“So if we’re in trouble you can’t really get out playing risky shots.”
Rogers was the first to admit that Graeme Swann’s retirement worked in his favour in Melbourne, given the England spinner’s success rate against him.
“Swann is the one guy I’ve always found difficult even just to score runs … I was probably the biggest winner out of it all,” he said.
