35-year-old Chris Rogers made Australian cricket history on the weekend, scoring his maiden Test century to become the oldest Aussie batsman in 87 years to achieve the feat.
Rogers scored 110 on day two of the fourth Ashes Test in Durham to help Australia establish a small lead after England posted a first innings total of 238 runs.
Just 20 days off his 36th birthday, Rogers joined the record books behind Arthur Richardson, who scored a century at 37 years and 351 days against England in 1926.
”To get a hundred playing for your country is just a magnificent feeling. I’m so happy and so relieved I got it,” said Rogers.
Rogers saved another top order collapse, putting on a partnership with Shane Watson (68) as Australia avoided another batting embarrassment to post a total of 270.
In just his fifth Test match after debuting against India in 2008, Rogers faced a nervous patch before notching his century. He remained stuck on 96 for half an hour, patiently facing 19 spin deliveries from Graeme Swann before collecting his ton with a sweep shot that went for four.
“It was a nervous time,” Rogers said of the wait.
“I got the score in the last game (84 in the third Test at Old Trafford) and thought that was maybe my opportunity and just got to the nineties and the England boys were saying ‘if you don’t get it now, you may never’. It was just a fantastic moment to finally get it.”
“I’m not a huge celebrator but I guess after all this time playing a lot of domestic cricket, to get this opportunity is one that I never thought I would, and to get a hundred is just something you can only dream of.”
Rogers survive a scare on 20, given out for caught behind, but the field umpires’ decision was overturned on review.
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