Australian opener Chris Rogers can draw on fond memories of the last Boxing Day Test to help maintain his timely return to form.
Rogers, 37, endured a lean time with the bat before he made back-to-back fifties at the Gabba, with his swashbuckling second innings effort pivotal as Australia chased down India’s target on the fourth day.
The left-hander’s second innings century in last year’s Boxing Day Test against England was a key factor as Australia extended its series lead and he feels he owes the team a similar return.
“I think I’ve probably let the side down a bit lately with my performances so to get a hundred out here would be fantastic,” Rogers said from the MCG on Tuesday.
“It was (weighing on me). It hurts when you don’t do well and you put pressure on yourself.
“It can be tough times and you worry a lot, but equally when you do well it’s the best feeling in the world.
“It’s a bit of a roller coaster, but you’ve just got to try and enjoy it as much as you can.”
Rogers’ displayed an impressive array of shots in his second innings knock in Brisbane as Australia took a 2-0 series lead, but fans shouldn’t expect the same strokeplay at the MCG.
“I think the MCG is a different wicket altogether,” he said.
“I think you have to take your time here, particularly in the first innings, when it’s probably a bit harder to drive early.”
With next year’s Ashes series starting in Cardiff in July, Rogers knows he has to stay amongst the runs if he is to be part of the Australian touring party.
“It feels a long way away and I know I’m getting older by the day, but it’s still what I want to achieve,” he said.
“It’s just about getting there and that means me still doing well for Australia. I have to keep my standards up and know that there’s other people desperate to get in the side.”