Ashes 2013-14: England's dropped catches could be crucial, says Chris Rogers

Chris Rogers believes England may have missed their chance to level the Ashes series after three dropped catches let Australia off the hook today.

Monty Panesar, Joe Root and, in particular, Michael Carberry were all guilty of failing to accept opportunities to dismiss George Bailey, Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin respectively.

Bailey was dismissed for 53 but Clarke (above) is still there on 48 after Root put down a difficult chance at midwicket with the Australian captain on 18. And when Carberry spilled Haddin at backward point with the close approaching, Australia, who are 1-0 up in the series, were entitled to feel they as they reached 273 for five at stumps.

“Particularly in the first innings, the dropped catches could prove to be quite crucial,” he said. “Those chances helped us. To have Michael going out there tomorrow morning is massive for us.

“If we can keep going and get 400, then that is going to be a very competitive score. We will be right in the game with a score like that and we will probably have enough runs to create enough chances to win. I saw the replay of Carberry’s drop and it was a huge moment.”

Tom Collomosse and Stephen Brenkley discuss the opening day's play. Listen below ...

Bowling in tandem with Panesar, Graeme Swann improved throughout the day and finished with one for 55, a good response to his poor performance in the First Test in Brisbane. Panesar was the opposite, starting well and bowling Steve Smith before losing consistency in his line and length, although Carberry’s late mistake came from his bowling.

It was the first time in 22 years that England had picked two spinners for an Ashes Test in Australia, and Swann believes this strategy might give the tourists an edge as the match develops.

Swann bowled England to victory here three years ago and he is optimistic about their chances of levelling the series here.

He said: “This pitch has shown signs of turning a little bit on day one. It's only going to turn more so hopefully the fact that we've got two spinners in our team gives us a big advantage for the rest of the game.

“I thought his bowling was excellent. It's never easy coming back into a team because obviously a lot of spotlight goes on you, a lot of expectation. It was a beauty to get his wicket – could have had two by the end which was unfortunate. He did the job that we wanted him to do.”

It was Panesar’s first Test since the incident in Brighton in August, when he urinated on nightclub bouncers and received a fixed penalty notice from police for being "drunk and disorderly". These events preceded his departure from Sussex.

But Swann added: “We don't care what's happened in the last 12 months off the field. He's one of the boys and we embrace him as ever and we love seeing him do well.”