Chris Rogers became the second oldest Australian to hit a maiden Test century as he led his team to 222 for five on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test against England in County Durham on Saturday.
The gritty left-handed opener nudged and nurdled his way to 101 not out after a four-wicket burst from Stuart Broad had threatened to put England, bowled out without adding to their overnight total of 238 for nine, on top.
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Rogers, who turns 36 on Aug. 31, was given good support by Shane Watson (68) as the pair shared a stand of 129 for the fifth wicket on a tricky day for batting.
"I can't talk for the younger blokes but after all this time you just don't think this opportunity is going to come up," Rogers told reporters.
"I wanted to believe I was good enough but never knew. To get a hundred, that's something that no one can take away from me, and I can tell my grandchildren about it now...if I have any."
Fellow Australian Arthur Richardson was 37 when he reached three figures against England at Leeds in 1926.
Rogers, making only his fifth test appearance, needed a generous helping of good fortune at the Emirates Durham and also suffered several nervous moments in the 90s.
Broad, who often blows hot and cold, was in mean and hungry mood and took advantage of overcast skies and a pitch offering extravagant seam movement to remove Watson, David Warner (three), Usman Khawaja (nought) and skipper Michael Clarke (six).
The day began with England's last man James Anderson being hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Jackson Bird.
Later the same over Bird ended the innings by bowling Anderson for 16, leaving Tim Bresnan undefeated on 12.
It did not take long for England to make inroads at the top of the Australian order, Warner being bowled by an inswinger from Broad that clipped the top of off stump with the total on 12.
There had been no addition to the score when Khawaja could not decide whether to play or leave a delivery from Broad and the ball struck the toe of his bat before going through to Matt Prior.
It was the 200th catch of Prior's career on his 71st test appearance and left him third on the all-time list of England wicketkeepers, behind Alec Stewart (227) and Alan Knott (250).
The home team, 2-0 up in the five-match series, then wasted a video review when Broad hit Rogers in front on the pad but the replay showed the ball had pitched a couple of inches outside leg stump.
England went close again moments later when umpire Tony Hill gave Rogers out caught behind off Broad.
The video replay showed the ball clipping the pad, not the bat, and the hosts quickly changed their appeal to an lbw shout.
England's players started celebrating when the big screen in the corner of the ground showed the ball striking the stumps but that appeal was also turned down because it was only nudging the top of the bails.
Captain Alastair Cook and his players remonstrated with Hill and his colleague Aleem Dar but to no avail.
Rogers responded in defiant manner by hitting two fours in one over from Bresnan.
Broad took his third wicket when Clarke slashed a wide ball to first slip where Cook took a good reaction catch high above his head.
When Bresnan had Steve Smith caught behind by Prior for 17 after lunch, it seemed as though England were ready to run through the Australian lineup. But Watson, demoted to number six for this test, provided a reassuring presence alongside Rogers.
Rogers reached his half-century with an edge off Broad that was put down by Graeme Swann as he dived full-length at second slip attempting the catch.
Watson played a classy shot for four through mid-wicket off Broad before following up with two more boundaries off Anderson, one a clip through square leg and another coming from a venomous pull through wide mid-on.
The Australian all-rounder finally fell in unlucky fashion just before the close of play, edging Broad to Prior who took a tumbling catch down the leg side.
Rogers, on 96, had to face 19 deliveries from Swann without scoring and twice chipped the ball in the air short of fielders while Clarke covered his face with his hands on the pavilion balcony.
Clarke and the rest of the Australian team then punched the air with delight when the opener swept Swann for four to bring up his hundred.
Brad Haddin (12) was the other undefeated batsman when stumps were drawn early because of bad light. (Editing by Brian Homewood and Pritha Sarkar)
EVENING SESSION
The day belonged to Rogers who is unbeaten on 101 and helping Australia reach 222 for five in 74.4 overs in reply to England's first innings score of 238.
They now trail England by 16 runs. Watson (68) was the other significant contributor for Australia.
That's it. Stumps have been drawn for the day.
Players are back in the dressing room. Aus 222-5 in 74.4 overs.
Australia trail by just 21 runs now. Aus 217-5 in 74 overs.
A brilliant knock from Rogers, scores a fine boundary to notch his century. Aus 211-5 in 72 overs.
Haddin joins Rogers.
Broad strikes again. His fourth wicket for the day and manages to break a threatening partnership. Aus 205-5 in 69 overs.
S Watson c Prior b Broad 68 (134b 7x4 0x6)
A boundary from Rogers takes Australia past 200. Aus 205-4 in 67 overs.
Things going fine for Australia as they close in the 200-run mark. Aus 199-4 in 65 overs.
Rogers enters 90s. Aus 188-4 in 62 overs.
Australia are 181-4 in 60 overs.
Rogers on 85 while the partnership reaches 99. Aus 175-4 in 58 overs.
A timely knock from Watson. His half century been very crucial for Aussies. Aus 171-4 in 57 overs.
Australia are 167-4 in 55 overs.
A lovely pull from Rogers to the fence. He reaches 78. Aus 162-4 in 53 overs.
Maiden over from Bresnan. Aus 152-4 in 51 overs.
Just one run from that over. Aus 152-4 in 50 overs.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Chris Rogers recorded his third half-century of the series to help Australia recover to 148 for four at tea on the second day of the fourth Ashes test against England in County Durham on Saturday.
The gritty left-handed opener nudged and nurdled his way to 71 not out after three wickets from Stuart Broad had reduced the tourists to 75 for three at lunch in reply to the home team's first innings 238.
Broad produced a hostile spell of fast bowling under overcast skies and on a pitch offering extravagant seam movement to remove David Warner (three), Usman Khawaja (nought) and captain Michael Clarke (six).
When Tim Bresnan had Steve Smith caught behind by Matt Prior for 17 after lunch, it seemed as though England were ready to run through the Australian lineup.
But former opener Shane Watson (38 not out), demoted to number six for this test, then provided a reassuring presence alongside Rogers and the pair prevented further alarms as they put on an unbroken 72 for the fifth wicket.
Rogers reached his half-century with an edge off Broad that was put down by Graeme Swann as he dived full-length at second slip attempting the catch.
Watson played a classy shot for four through mid-wicket off Broad before following up with two more boundaries off James Anderson, one a clip through square leg and another coming from a venemous pull through wide mid-on.
Prior, making his 71st test appearance, has taken two catches in the innings to move past 200 on England's all-time wicketkeeping list.
Only Alec Stewart (227) and Alan Knott (250) have taken more catches.
Australia suffered an early setback immediately after lunch but Chris Rogers (71 not out) and Shane Watson (38 not out) shared a fantastic unbroken 72-run stand to put Australia back in the road to recovery.
Partnership is 64 as Rogers reaches 70. Aus 140-4 in 45 overs.
Rogers on 67, Watson on 25. Aus 130-4 in 41 overs.
Partnership is going good at the moment. A big one can be vital for Australia. Aus 123-4 in 37 overs.
Nine runs coming off that over. Aus 119-4 in 35 overs.
The partnership reaches 30. Good one for Aussies. Aus 110-4 in 34 overs.
Australia is looking for Rogers to get a big score. Aus 96-4 in 29 overs.
Rogers gets to his half century but England pacers are putting up an impressive show here. Aus 90-4 in 28 overs.
Australia are 84-4 in 25 overs. Clarke at the dressing home does not look happy at all.
Success immediately after lunch. Smith departs. Aus 76-4 in 22.4 overs.
S Smith c Prior b Bresnan 17 (34b 3x4 0x6)
MORNING SESSION
Stuart Broad produced his best bowling performance of the series to haul England back into the match on the second morning of the fourth Ashes test against Australia in County Durham on Saturday.
Broad, who often blows hot and cold, was in mean and hungry mood and took advantage of overcast skies and a pitch offering more seam movement to take three for 23 as Australia slumped to 75 for three in reply to England's first innings 238.
Opener Chris Rogers was 41 not out at lunch while Steve Smith was unbeaten on 17.
The day began with England on 238 for nine and in the second over, last man James Anderson was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Jackson Bird.
Later in the same over Bird ended the innings by bowling Anderson for 16, leaving Tim Bresnan undefeated on 12 at the other end.
It did not take long for England to make inroads at the top of the Australian order, David Warner being bowled for three by an inswinging delivery from Broad that clipped the top of the left-hander's off stump with the total on 12.
There had been no addition to the score when Usman Khawaja, on nought, could not decide whether to play or leave a delivery from Broad and the ball struck the toe of his bat before going through to Matt Prior.
It was the 200th catch of Prior's career on his 71st test appearance and left him third on the all-time list of England wicketkeepers, behind Alec Stewart (227) and Alan Knott (250).
The home team, 2-0 up in the five-match series, then wasted a video review for lbw when Broad hit Rogers on the pad but the replay showed the ball had pitched a couple of inches outside leg stump.
England lost another review moments later when umpire Tony Hill gave Rogers out caught behind off Broad.
The video replay showed the ball clipping the pad, not the bat, and the hosts quickly changed their appeal to an lbw shout.
England's players started celebrating when the big screen in the corner of the Emirates Durham showed the ball hitting the stumps but that appeal was also turned down because the ball was only clipping the top of the bails.
Captain Alastair Cook and his players remonstrated with Hill and his colleague Aleem Dar but to no avail.
Rogers responded in defiant manner by hitting two fours in one over from Tim Bresnan.
One four came from a tidy clip off his legs through mid-wicket that Kevin Pietersen allowed to slip under his body on the boundary and the other was a crisp straight drive.
Broad then took his third wicket when skipper Michael Clarke (six) chased a wide ball and slashed it high to Cook at first slip who took a good reaction catch above his head.
Eventful second day as England after being all out at 238 have pegged back the intitative taking three quick Australian wickets. Broad accounted for all three of them as Australia are 75-3 in 21 overs. Smith (17) and Rogers (41) are in the middle.
A boundary of the last ball from Smith. Aus 67-3 in 18 overs.
Australia need a big contribution from Smith and Rogers. Aus 59-3 in 16 overs.
Broad on a roll here. He takes his third wicket and picks the skipper. Trouble here for the visitors. Aus 49-3 in 13.1 overs.
M Clarke c Cook b Broad 6 (18b 1x4 0x6)
Rogers reaches 33. He is showing good form. Aus 49-2 in 13 overs
England pacers maintaining a tight line. Aus 35-2 in 10 overs.
Despite losing two wickets, Rogers and Clarke are looking positive. Two fours again in this over. Two reviews called, England lose it while Australia win it right. Aus 34-2 in 8 overs.
Two successive boundaries from Rogers. Aus 23-2 in 7 overs
Trouble here for Australia. They lose another and it's Broad again who removes Khawaja. Aus 12-2 in 6 overs.
U Khawaja c Prior b Broad 0 (6b 0x4 0x6)
It looked to be a good over for Australia before England had the last laugh with Broad getting the wicket of Warner. Aus 12-1 in 4 overs.
D Warner b Broad 3 (7b 0x4 0x6)
Maiden over. Aus 2-0 in 3 overs.
Chris Rogers and David Warner open for Australia. Anderson bowls for England. Aus 1-0 in 1 over.
ENGLAND INNINGS
So that's the end. England's last pair just lasted two overs but did not contribute to the overnight score. England are 238 all out in 92 overs.
J Anderson b Bird 16 (16b 4x4 0x6)
Siddle opens the bowling on second day. He starts with a maiden. Eng 238-9 in 91 overs.
Australia will look to wrap things early on Day 2 as they took control of the game to restrict England to 238 for nine on first day of the fourth Ashes Test.
Nathan Lyon took four wickets to lead the charge. James Anderson (16 not out) and Tim Bresnan (12 not out) were in the middle when stumps were drawn on day one.