Rogers hits ton on return to Lord’s as Middlesex suffer

Chris Rogers enjoyed himself on his return to Lord’s as he scored 104 not out against former county Middlesex on the opening day of their County Championship Division One.

Former Australian Test opener Rogers – who made 4,812 runs at an average of 50 in four seasons at Middlesex from 2011 to 2014, the last two as captain – shared in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 125 with James Hildreth (60 not out).

Play ended 16 overs early due to bad light and rain.

Rogers initially joined Tom Abell in a hard-working second wicket stand of 85 after the early loss of Marcus Trescothick.

Playing his 600th first-class innings in his 350th match, Trescothick was lbw for eight when Toby Roland-Jones straightened one back up the slope.

After lunch, the impressive Roland-Jones tempted opener Abell into a loose drive and had him caught behind for 41.

From 94-2, however, Rogers and Hildreth took the game away from Middlesex’s bowlers on another excellent Lord’s pitch.

Rogers clearly relished batting against his former teammates after winning the toss and reached his first century for Somerset from 201 balls.

He only had a few alarms, surviving a big appeal for lbw by James Franklin when he had made 66 and, on 91, playing and missing when he aimed a drive at James Harris.

Hildreth’s 50 took him 118 balls and his Championship average for the season now stands at 78.50 – with power to add.