Ishant was the biggest threat on Day 1: Rogers

Despite scoring a half-century to lay the foundation for Australia's first innings, opener Chris Rogers was "frustrated" and "disappointed" to miss out on a big score on the opening day of the third Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

The hosts finished the day at 259 for 5, thanks to Steve Smith's 72 not out and Rogers's 57 runs, which was studded with five boundaries.

"I am just frustrated, really. I think three scores in the fifties is good in some respect but it is also very disappointing that the amount of handwork you put and then put yourself in that position. You can get a big score," Rogers told reporters at the end of the day’s play.

"So if you get out like that it's pretty disappointing. I had felt good today and my feet were going well. I had a real desire to get a big score," he added.

Rogers was under pressure after a run of poor form but came good with fifties in both innings in the second Test at Brisbane. He started well at the MCG too.

"That's the nature of the beast. It is tough business. You know that you are going to come under criticism if you are not scoring runs. I am not stupid enough to think that I own a place in the side as it's a privilege. I am just trying to make most of it," said the opener.

Rogers shared a 115-run stand with Shane Watson who, also belied a poor run of form to score 52 runs. It was the best stand for Australia on the opening day.

"We enjoyed out there being together, had a bit of a laugh and may be the different styles of batting helped us," said Rogers, about his partnership with Watson.

"He goes about hitting pretty hard and I let them come at me. May be we feed off each other so we have done well together, spending some time out there. A few misfields helped us. That dropped catch before lunch was crucial and it was nice to get a hundred-run partnership," he said.

Rogers was full of praise for the Indian bowlers, though, as they struck at regular intervals and restricted the Australians.

"They are certainly bowling to a plan. They have been working hard at getting David Warner, coming around the wicket, and went hard at Brad Hadding towards the end of the day as well. They are improving as an attack all the time and we have to keep fending them off.

"I find Ishant the toughest among them because of his angle. He comes across and swings the other way and still has that skill to get the ball straightened up. Today I felt he was the biggest threat. It was important that try and get through his spells."