Ignominous record for unlucky Rogers

Chris Rogers etched his name in the Test cricket record books in Cardiff, but not for reasons befitting an excellent innings of 95 on day two of the Ashes series.

The veteran opener again demonstrated his prowess in British conditions as he joined Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower, Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara and West Indies pair Everton Weekes and Shivnarine Chanderpaul as players to have passed 50 in seven successive Test innings.

However, he is now the only man in that group to fail to cash in and make a century after being dismissed in the 90s for the second time in his last three visits to the crease.

Aside from a reviewed lbw appeal from Stuart Broad that showed he’d got the thinnest of edges into his pad, Rogers was largely untroubled as he approached what would be a fifth Test century.

But fully aware of his recent nerves in the 90s, his mindset appeared to change.

An awkward top-edge off Broad only just eluded Moeen Ali on the long leg boundary to give him a first six in Test cricket was as out of character as it gets for a player renowned for grit not glitz.

And five overs later he was back in the pavilion. Undone by an angled delivery from Mark Wood that found the edge of his bat and nestled in the gloves of Jos Buttler.

His anguished reaction was evidence of his frustration at a glorious chance gone begging.

Rogers insisted his new ‘record’ is not something to be upset about, but was frustrated he couldn’t go on and post a big score on a pitch that’s still good for batting.

“It’s a nice stat. Shame none of them were hundreds,” he said.

“As an opener it’s so important to be consistent and by doing that you’re doing a job for the team, so I can be quite proud of that I think.”

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