Australia batsman Adam Voges said he was glad to be dismissed on Sunday for 239 in the first Test against New Zealand – to avoid bettering the great Don Bradman’s record.
Stroke of luck
Bowled for seven by New Zealand paceman Doug Bracewell late on Friday, Voges was reprieved by a wrong no-ball call and finally gave up his wicket for 239 on Sunday, having put his team in complete control of the first Test in Wellington.
Second double-hundred
Voges’s double-century was the second of his short international career. He has scored 1,267 runs to average 97.46 since making his debut at the age of 35 in the Caribbean last year.
“I thought I was out,” he said of his non-dismissal. “But to have that bit of luck and capitalise on the second opportunity, I’m very happy.”
Bradman comparisons
Until he was dismissed on Sunday, his Test average was 105, higher than the 99.94 of the great Don Bradman, revered as the best batsman of all time.
“That doesn’t sit too comfortably with me, to be honest,” Voges said of comparisons with the former Australia captain.
“I’m probably happy that I’m out now and it’s gone back under [100]. It was never going to stay there. It won’t stay there. I know that.”
Second chance
Voges became the oldest player to score a Test century on debut with his unbeaten 130 against West Indies last June, another second chance grabbed with both hands.
He was named in Australia’s Test squad in 2006 after the retirement of Damien Martyn but never played. A
ge and experience helped him take his impressive form in first class-cricket into the Test arena, the middle-order batsman said.
Student of the game
He knew his game, studied the opposition bowlers and knew how he could combat their plans for him.
“I’ve got an idea of how I want to go about my innings,” he said.
“It comes with confidence as well being able to trust your ability.”
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