Ashes 2013: Australia’s Chris Rogers refreshed and ready for 3rd Test

As Australia prepare for their do-or-die battle against England at Old Trafford, opening batsman Chris Rogers knows the team, as well as himself, need to lift if they are to keep the series alive. Top-order batting has long been Australia's Achilles heel and so it proved in a crushing 347-run second Test defeat at Lord's,...

As Australia prepare for their do-or-die battle against England at Old Trafford, opening batsman Chris Rogers knows the team, as well as himself, need to lift if they are to keep the series alive.

Top-order batting has long been Australia's Achilles heel and so it proved in a crushing 347-run second Test defeat at Lord's, where the tourists were skittled out for just 128 in their first innings.

England lead the five-match series 2-0 and Australia need to win in Manchester if their hopes of regaining the Ashes are not to be extinguished — a drawn series would see holders England retain the urn.

Australia, following a 4-0 series reverse in India earlier this year, have suffered six successive Tests defeats for the first time since 1984 — they last lost seven in a row in the 19th Century.

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