I can’t afford too many failures, says Rogers

Opener feels pressure to hold Australia spot in Ashes

ADELAIDE: Under-pressure Australia opener Chris Rogers said Sunday he cannot afford anymore batting failures or his Test career will be over.

Rogers, 36, said he is feeling the heat to perform as potential replacement Phil Hughes is in the midst of a run-scoring spree in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition.

Hughes has scored a double-century and a century in recent Shield games as he pushes his claims for an Ashes recall.

Rogers said he realises more meagre returns such as the one and 16 he made in Australia's first Test triumph against England will curtail his Test career.

"I didn't contribute in the first game as much as I'd like to so it would be nice to get some runs in this game, for sure," he told reporters ahead of Thursday's second Test in Adelaide.

"You always feel pressure, but you have just got to enjoy it as well.

"I want to be here the whole [five-Test] series and score runs. That is my job, so I probably can't afford too many failures."

While most of his teammates rested after Australia's series-opening win, Rogers has been in the nets to prepare for the second Test.

"I have probably hit the ball a bit better," said Rogers of his current form.

"I was able to do some good work this week and iron out a few flaws. Hopefully I can contribute this week."

‘We’ll continue with short-pitched bowling’

Despite predictions of a docile Adelaide drop-in pitch for fast bowling, Rogers said Australia would continue its plans of unsettling England with short-pitched bowling.

"They probably haven't been challenged like that for a while," he said of the first Test.

"And to have someone like Mitch [Johnson] bowling that fast is great for us. Perhaps they were a little bit rattled and we can use that for the rest of the series."