Rogers motivated by fear of the end

Having failed to reach 20 in his two innings in the series opener in Brisbane, Rogers entered this match on what was predicted to be a batsman-friendly Adelaide pitch under pressure despite his team’s thumping win at the Gabba.

QUICK SINGLE: A day of squandered chances

QUICK SINGLE: Honours shared, failures halved

And while the 72 he contributed to Australia’s day one total of 5-273 will surely stay the guillotine for the short term, he accepts that at age 36 and in the second iteration of his Test career that pressure is unlikely to subside.

“I had a bit of a sleepless night last night,” Rogers said after stumps in Adelaide.

“At my age, probably two bad games (in a row) is a bit dangerous. It’s probably the pressure I put on myself, and sometimes that’s a good thing.

“I think I play better under pressure. So if that’s the way my career’s going to go then I just have to accept it.”

Rogers appeared set for a deserved first Test century on Australian soil when, having begun the day conservatively and taking a back seat to opening partner David Warner’s unabashed shot-making, he blossomed into a range of deft strokes to top score for his team.

But having reached 72, England off-spinner Graeme Swann – his enduring rival from the year’s earlier Ashes series in England in which Rogers was resurrected to stabilise Australia’s top order – once again claimed his wicket with a ball that turned more than either man expected.

“That ball spun pretty much out of nowhere, and probably would have got me out quite a few times if I was to face it again,” Rogers said.

“I felt better today but he (Swann) still got me out. So it’s still a challenge, no doubt about it.

“He’s a class bowler particularly against left handers, but hopefully there’s a few more battles to come.”

For his part, Swann paid tribute to Rogers’ ability but expressed even greater admiration for the newly-laid Adelaide Oval pitch which offered an unexpected amount of assistance to him and his bowling partner in this Test – left-arm spinner Monty Panesar – as the first day progressed.

“I thought Chris Rogers batted well today,” Swann said. “He’s always a tricky man to get out, he’s got a very solid technique.

“It’s a testament to him that he always seems to bat when I come on to bowl because a lot of opening batters are out by then.

“He’s a fine player and it’s obviously nice for me to get him out again.

“(But) we didn’t know what to expect to be honest because obviously at Adelaide we’ve now got drop-in pitches and all these new stands and everything.

“Perhaps that’s the way forward - perhaps Australia’s got a good old-fashioned spinning wicket again.”

With tongue firmly in cheek, Swann also suggested the sledging battle that raged in Brisbane had escalated even further in Adelaide.

“No we still hate each other’s guts,” Swann joked when asked whether relations between the teams had improved after the bad-tempered series opener in Brisbane.

“I told Michael Clarke I’d rip his ears off but I don’t think the stump mic picked it up.

“There’s always going to be a bit of niggle between England and Australia, between certain protagonists on the field. But I’m not one for it.

“I bowl off-spin, you start chirping, you get smashed over your head next ball and you look an idiot.”