Chris Rogers hundred has Australia in strong position after day two of fourth Ashes Test VETERAN opener Chris Rogers scored his maiden Test century, as he combined with Shane Watson to put Australia back on top after the second day of the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street. Rogers and Watson came together just after lunch with Australia in deep trouble at 4-76, and the English bowlers making good use of ideal swing-bowling conditions. The pair then forged a vital 126 stand that turned fortunes Australia's way, before Watson became England paceman Stuart Broad's fourth victim, caught down the legside for 68. Australia was 5-222, with Rogers 101 and Brad Haddin 12 when bad light stopped play. That left them just 16 runs short of England's first innings 238. Rogers, 35, became the second-oldest Australian batsman to record his debut century, behind Arthur Richardson who was 37 and 351 days when he scored his first century against England at Leeds in 1926. Although not before Rogers experienced some anxious moments in the nineties. Twice, he almost spooned catches to the circling fielders; then spent 30 minutes stranded on 96, before finally sweeping his tormentor, English off-spinner Graeme Swann, for four. When the milestone finally came, Rogers seemed more numb than elated. It took some time for the first-class journeyman to raise his arms and celebrate a moment he must have thought, having played his lone Test before this series against India in 2008, would never come. Watson, demoted to No.6 for this Test having failed to re-establish himself in his favoured opening position, played an almost equally valuable role in Australia's recovery, with an unusually measured innings. Both Rogers and Watson were given lives. Rogers was dropped at second slip by Swann when on 49, and Tim Bresnan grassed a sharp caught and bowled from Watson when he was 5. Rogers also had to survive the uncertainties of the DRS. First, an LBW referral by Broad was refused. Later, Rogers was given out caught behind. But, after his referral, Hot Spot showed the ball had hit his pad. Otherwise, against some devilish swing bowling under a cloudy sky, Rogers and Watson repaired the early damage done by Broad who took Australia's first three wickets in a brilliant pre-lunch spell. Chris Rogers brought up his maiden Test hundred on day two at Chester-le-Street. Broad, who finished with 4-48, bowled David Warner for three when the Australian opener attempted a cramped, defensive shot with an angled bat. Then, in his next over, Usman Khawaja was caught behind for a duck. Captain Michael Clarke, so often the saviour, was also caught by Prior, his swat at Broad's ball well outside off stump an uncharacteristic mistake. Rogers and Steve Smith took Australia to lunch. But, immediately, after the resumption, Smith was caught behind sparring at a ball from Bresnan he should have left. Earlier, Australia had taken little time to complete the day's housekeeping, wrapping up the England innings without allowing them to add to their overnight score. Picture: Lingsay Parnaby Nathan Lyon finished with 4-42, which comprised the top order wickets of Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Jonny Bairstow.