Late bloomer Chris Rogers says he hopes he is buying time to get enough runs to convince selectors to choose him for next year's Ashes tour to England. The left-handed opener, 37, playing in just his 19th Test match, stated his case with a third straight half-century in the series against India in the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Rogers, who scored 116 in last season's corresponding Boxing Day Test against England, was disappointed not to go on with his innings and get another century at the MCG when he was caught behind off Mohammed Shami for 57.
Rogers, who says at times he feels intimidated by the rapid scoring of his opening partner David Warner, was under pressure after the Adelaide series opener before scoring a pair of 55s in the second Test in Brisbane last week.
"That's the nature of the beast. It's a tough business and you guys (media) have got things to write about," Rogers admitted after Friday's play.
"You try and avoid it but you know you are going to come under criticism, particularly at my age if you're not scoring runs.
"I'm not stupid enough to think that I own a place in this side and it's still a privilege, just trying to make the most of it."
Rogers, who has played over 280 first-class matches, harbours a desire to make the Ashes tour next year after averaging almost 50 in the last home series against England in 2013-14.
Rogers said he was disappointed to get out after feeling in good nick in the first innings after Australia won the toss in the Boxing Day Test.
"Just frustrated really, I think three scores in the 50s is good in some respects but it's also very disappointing," he said.
"As an opener you do the hard work and put yourself in a position where you can get a big score so to get out like that was disappointing because I felt good today, I felt my feet were going and I had a real desire to get a big score."
Rogers reasoned that the early dismissal of opening partner Warner for a duck may have helped him settle early in his innings.
"I know it probably doesn't seem like it but there are times it can be a little bit intimidating batting with Davey," he said.
"He scores so quickly that you can look up and think I'm not scoring quick enough, I'm not being aggressive enough or whatever.
"So I think at times I've probably got out trying to force it a little bit up the other end from Davey.
"Maybe it helps me just calm down a little bit after he gets out but it's not a bad trait, I guess."
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