After waiting 160 first class games and 275 digs, Adam Voges defied Father Time early this morning, by becoming the oldest batsmen to crack a Test ton on debut.
Voges finished unbeaten on 130, and at 35 years and 243 days broke Zimbabwean Dave Houghton’s record of 35 years and 117 set in 1992 against India at Harare when he scored 121.
FULL AUSTRALIA vs WEST INDIES DAY 2 SCORECARD
But more importantly, Voges was the backbone of a massive fightback when Australia was struggling against the Windies at Roseau in the first Test at 6-126 chasing 148.
Voges came to the crease at 3-61 when skipper Michael Clarke was dismissed for 18.
Voges was 23 when Steve Smith was out for 25, and Australia 4-97.
Voges was 26 when Shane Watson went for 11, and Australia was 5-112.
Voges was 32 when Brad Haddin was dismissed for 8 – Australia 6-126.
Voges was 59 when Mitchell Johnson went for 20, with Australia 7-178.
Voges was still 59 when Mitchell Starc was rolled for a duck – Australia 8-178, a lead of only 30.
Voges was 77 when Nathan Lyon went leg before for 22 – Australia 9-221.
At that time Voges chances of a debut Test ton looked grim, until the revelation paceman Josh Hazlewood is no “rabbit” No 11.
Right from the start Hazlewood looked at home on his way to a Test-best 39, giving Voges full support to set his record with ease.
The proof of Voges superb dig came in partnerships:
Voges-Smith for the fourth wicket – 36.
Voges-Watson for the fifth – 15.
Voges-Haddin for the sixth – 14.
Voges-Johnson for the seventh – 52.
Voges-Starc for the eighth – 0.
Voges-Lyon for the ninth – 43.
And Voges-Hazlewood for the 10th – 97.
While Voges was at the crease, Australia added 257 runs in a total of 318 to lead by 170 on the first innings when a deficit loomed likely.
But the icing on the cake was Adam Voges’ unbeaten 130 of the 257 during that period.
With Johnson and Starc ripping into the top order second time around, the Windies at 2-25 are still 145 runs adrift with eight wickets in hand, and three days to play.
The Test might not last three days, but one thing is for sure and certain, Adam Voges will be man of the match.
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