Veteran batsman Adam Voges concedes he’s unlikely to win back his Test spot, but he hasn’t given up hope of guiding Western Australia to Sheffield Shield glory this summer.
Voges missed the recent day-night Test win over South Africa after copping a sickening blow to the head, but he was set to be dropped from the Australian team anyway following his lean start to the series.
The 37-year-old has since overcome the concussion, and will line up in WA’s day-night Shield clash with Queensland at the WACA Ground, starting on Monday.
But even if he does score a pile of runs in that match, Voges knows he faces an uphill battle to earn selection for the three-Test series against Pakistan.
“I think it’s going to be tough, to be honest,” Voges said of his chances of winning back his Test spot.
“I always felt that at my age if I missed any games through injury or form, getting my spot back was always going to be tough.
“It is what it is. I’m just looking forward to playing for WA on Monday.”
If Voges doesn’t play another match for Australia, he will end his 20-Test career with a remarkable average of 61.87.
At one point, his average sat above 100, with some teammates even dubbing him “The Don”.
Voges sent a major scare around Australian cricket circles when he copped a sickening blow to the head from a Cameron Stevenson bouncer on November 17.
It brought back memories of Phillip Hughes’ tragic death two years ago.
Voges suffered headaches for days after copping the delivery, but he made a successful return to cricket last weekend when he cracked an unbeaten 142 in grade ranks.
“It was a pretty rough week straight after the knock. But I’ve felt good for a week, week and a half now,” Voges said.
“I’ve done a lot of training, faced a lot of balls in the nets.
“It was nice to spend some time out in the middle, and I got through no problems, no symptoms from the knock.”
WA sit last on the Shield table following four outright losses.
But Voges hasn’t given up hope of turning the season around.
And with his Test career all but over, Voges can now put his full focus into guiding WA out of their current mire.
“It’s been a tough start. It’s a real focus of mine now to help the guys get a win on the board and get the season back on track,” Voges said.
“With the way the ladder’s positioned, we’re two wins off second spot. While it hasn’t been an ideal start, it’s not all doom and gloom.”
Don Freo
Guest
Remember...it's John. This is how he comments. Hasn't written one comment of praise yet. Apparently, whenever Vogesy played bowlers eased up and gave him boundary fodder. The bowlers tried harder when Vogesy's team mates batted. That explains how he has the record he has but his fellows weren't able to follow suit. It's funny how bowlers do that. I wonder why.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
It's made of real panther, so you know it's good.
AdrianK
Guest
"Who only play on batting paradises 80% of the time".... Sex Panther moment? ?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Easy up there Damo - He saved us once in the West indies with an unbeaten 130, so unless you count 37 of 399, when Steve Smith made 199, as saving us a second time, check the facts. I was a fan of Voges getting his opportunity and bringing some experienced stability to our middle order. However, his poor showings when pitches weren't flat batting tracks, especially in England (all his county experience) was very telling. one expects that from younger players who only play on batting paradises 80% of the time, but much more was expected from Adam. He can blame Mike Hussey and Chris Rogers for that. Unfortunately for our test side and for Adam individually, his star shone very brightly, but dimmed quickly when he was needed most. There are plenty of younger batsmen who look capable of making runs against weak attacks and when batting on a road, so Voges has made himself redundant. I do think its sad that his form is so bad that he can be replaced by a young player who only averages 37 in First Class cricket. However, sadder than that is Voges now sits at number two on the test averages list, if 20 tests in the minimum entry point. May I suggest to retain some credibility in the record books, that a 2000 test run minimum be used as a standard measure for batting records.
Damo
Guest
Easy up there John - so he scored runs against crap opposition, what else was he supposed to do? He saved Aus a couple times in the Windies against the 'impotent' attack while many of the other players that struggled then and since got plenty more opportunities than they should have. In the lat 3 series he's been very poor but no orphan in that regard. He isn't demanding his spot back, he acknowledges how unlikely it is. It's pretty obvious he would've been dropped for Adelaide, just give the bloke some credit for at least getting 20 Tests under his belt when you could argue he should've played more a lot earlier.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Highly unlikely? A Voges' test return sgould be a complete impossibility. As a player, selected for the benefits his experience should provide, Voges has shown a loss of form beyond belief. How quickly he has gone from blue ribbon form of the elite level, to barely knowing which end of the bat to hold. A quick look at his performances reveals the real Adam Voges. On flat tracks against New Zealand and against an impotent and implosive West Indies, Adam scored 1136 runs from 13 innings, at an average of 162.28 with 6 not outs. Against Sri Lanka, South Africa (in Australia) and England, Adam has struggled to score 349 runs at 20.52, from 18 innings with just a single not out. in Sri lanka and against South Africa, his mode of dismissal has bordered on bizarre, from being bowled reverse sweeping to the 'deer in the headlights' dolly of a SA short ball. If that's what his experience offers us, we simply don't need or want it. Perhaps the hit on the helmet was, for Voges test career, something akin to a mercy killing.