The batsman who made his Test debut at the age of 35, created history, with a run average of 60+

New Delhi. The selectors have always failed to recognize the potential of this incomparable batsman. This is why Adam Voges got very limited opportunities to play in the Australian team. This right-handed batsman was only given a place in the team as a ‘substitute’ if a key batsman was injured or unavailable. Western Australia’s Voges has run at a good average and strike rate in First Class and List A matches but failed to catch the attention of the selectors.

After being overlooked for his consistent good performances, Voges finally earned a place in the Australian ODI and T20 squad at the age of 28. Whether it was Vogs’s luck, the neglect of the selectors or the presence of many experienced players in the Australian team of that era, despite being extremely talented, the batsman got very few opportunities to play for Australia. He got a chance to make his Test debut at the age of more than 35 years.

This was the case when Voges averaged 45+ and had a good strike rate (87.17 in ODIs and 121.92 in T20Is) in both ODI and T20I formats. In his short format career from 2007 to 2013, Voges scored 870 runs in 31 ODIs at an average of 45.78, with one century and four half-centuries. The tall batsman has been a regular scorer in his ODI journey and has never been dismissed for a run in this format. That is why despite one century and four half-centuries in 31 ODIs, his run average was excellent. Voges’ T20 career was even shorter. He got just 7 matches to prove his mettle, in which he was unbeaten twice in five innings and scored 139 runs (at an average of 46.33) with a top score of 51. In 2013, he played his last matches in ODIs and T20Is.

Voges was once included in the Australian squad for an ODI match against South Africa in 2009 but was unavailable to marry his fiancee Christie, later justifying his decision saying, ‘It’s a big thing to get a chance to play for Australia India. But I think you get married only once in your life and this is an important opportunity for me.

Test debut at 36, history made

Despite showing batting ability in the shorter format, Voges had to wait until June 2015 to make his Test debut. At 35, he got the chance to play Tests when other cricketers had either retired or were considering it. However, Voges made history by making full use of this opportunity against the West Indies. In this Test, he scored an unbeaten 130 off 247 balls with 13 fours and a six and became the oldest batsman to score a century on Test debut. He gave a befitting reply to the selectors by playing a vital role in Australia’s victory in the Test debut and becoming the ‘Player of the Match’.

This batsman, who was dismissed for 99 runs in the Test, never scored a century in his career.

Averaged 61.87 in 20 Tests, with two double centuries

Adam Voges made a partnership of 449 runs with Shaun Morsh for the fourth wicket. ICC/X

Despite his age, the flow of runs from the bat of Vogs did not stop. Unbeaten seven times in 31 innings of 20 Tests, he scored 1485 runs at an impressive average of 61.87, which included five centuries (two double centuries). During this period, Vogs’ highest score was an unbeaten 269, which he scored against the West Indies in Hobart in December 2015. During this innings, Voges put on a 449-run partnership with Shaun Morsh for the fourth wicket, still the highest partnership for this wicket. Vogs also holds the record for scoring centuries in three consecutive Test innings (269*, 106* and 239).

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Second only to Bradman in run average

Voges scored another double century (239 runs) in the Wellington Test against New Zealand in February 2016. Voges ranks third in terms of run average in Test cricket. Only the great Don Bradman (99.94 in 52 Tests) and England’s Harry Brooks (62.15 in 12 Tests) averaged more than him. Not only that, if a minimum of 20 Test matches is taken as the criterion, Voges is second only to Bradman in runs average. In November 2016, Voges played his last Test where he was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings while he managed just 2 runs in the second innings. Voges retired from Test cricket with the second highest average behind Don Bradman, later surpassed by Brooks, who made his debut in 2022.

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After 2005, Voges was scoring a lot of runs in Australian domestic cricket. Meanwhile, Test team batsman Damien Martin has announced his retirement. Voges was considered a sure-fire replacement for Martin in the squad for the 2006 Ashes series, but fate intervened in favor of veteran Andrew Symonds and Voges waited his turn.

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Also played in IPL, now advisor to LSG
Regarded as one of the best players in the T20 format, Voges also played in the Indian Premier League. He was a member of the Rajasthan Royals team in the 2010 season. He remained unbeaten thrice in 7 innings of 9 matches and scored 181 runs at an average of 45.25 and a strike rate of 126.57. He joined the support staff of the Lucknow Supergiants team as a consultant.