The Ashes 2013 - 1st Test at Trent Bridge: Five talking points for Day 4

4. The Opening Stand

Australia’s opening pair of Chris Rogers and Shane Watson might have failed to take the team into a match winning position, but they did give the team a terrific platform to build upon. Only if it was not squandered by the Australian middle-order, their efforts would have reaped rich rewards. The pair has been put together in some haste by Darren Lehmann. Rogers is only playing his 2nd Test for Australia at an age of 35 years whereas Watson was moved from this position in Mickey Arthur’s reign. The two complement each other really well as Watson has a natural aptitude for shot-making whereas Rogers is the epitome of patience and solidity. They did well to score at a healthy rate against the new ball as they were aware that reverse swing would soon kick in.