Adam Voges has finally shown a glimpse of the runscoring which Australian selectors hoped would help deliver them an Ashes victory.
The steady West Australian looked a relieved man after posted a second consecutive half-century during the dead rubber Test.
Whether it is enough to book him a trip to Bangladesh in October is a question for those same under-fire selectors to answer.
But, with a dogged 51 in Australia’s second innings at Trent Bridge supported by the free-flowing knock of 76 at the Oval, he’s made a case.
In putting on 146 with Australia’s captain-elect Steve Smith, Voges looked more the batsman who led all scorers in last year’s Shield season, rather than the disappointment which has been on display this series.
The 35-year-old looked the sharpest he has all tour, confidently racking up his second biggest Test score.
With the batting lineup already losing two senior heads after this Test, due to the twin retirements of captain Michael Clarke and opener Chris Rogers, selectors may be inclined to keep Voges, who turns 36 in October, around.
Despite his recent call-up to Test cricket, there are few more experienced batsmen Australia can call on, with his 11,000 first class runs in a career closing in on 14 years at the top.
Ahead of the fifth Test, Voges was adamant he still had something to offer Australian cricket, despite conceding he was disappointed with his numbers against England.
“My performances haven’t been great for this series,” he said last week.
“Our middle-order batting has been our real weakness. I was picked to do a job there and I haven’t done it anywhere near as well as I would’ve liked to.
“I’ve been a little bit tense … I haven’t been able to relax and get into my innings and play the game I would’ve liked.
“I’ve obviously been disappointed.”
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While a premature retirement isn’t the solution, he or England want, he may be forced into it if he can’t maintain a long run of matches.
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