Chris Rogers was the star of the show as Australia nosed ahead of England after day two of the fourth Ashes Test in Chester-Le-Street Saturday.
Australia finished the day on 222 for five, 16 runs behind England's first innings score and Rogers, batting on 101, and Brad Haddin will look to push on a post a sizeable lead come Sunday.
"There have been times when sides have been picked and I haven't been in them and thought that that was my chance but it didn't happen," Rogers said.
"It just felt like there was always one bloke in the way but I get to play cricket for a living and I set high standards.
"Finally this opportunity has come along and I've really wanted to make the most of it and you can say that, but you've still got to go out and perform.
"It was my day today. There were so many things that went my way. You've just got to make the most of it and fortunately I did."
Rogers showed his nerves during the nervous 90s, taking up 19 dot balls on 96 before finally sweeping Graeme Swann for a boundary to bring his maiden hundred up at the ripe old age of 35.
"I didn't have a care in the world," he joked when asked about how he felt with the hundred so close. "No, it was a nervous time.
"I got the score in the last game and thought that was maybe my opportunity and just got to the 90s and the England boys were saying 'If you don't get it now, you may never.' It was just a fantastic moment to finally get it.
"I wanted to believe I was good enough but never knew. To get a hundred that's something that no one can take away from me, and I can tell my grandchildren about it now...if I have any."
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