From World Cup to Ashes - Adam Voges realizes what happens, happens for the best
In January 2014, selector Darren Lehmann told Adam Voges honestly that he would not be a part of the World Cup. He then had a good record and was in good form. He was a dependable cricketer. So when he was told that he would not even figure in the plans for the biggest cricketing tournament it hurt.
“I didn't think I'd ever let anyone down when I'd played one-day cricket," Voges said, according to ESPNcricinfo. "I thought my performances statistically were good and I played in a lot of teams that won games, so from that point of view it was pretty disappointing. But Boof was very honest and I knew exactly where I stood at the end of it.”
Lehmann assured Voges that he would have other opportunities, reports ESPNcricinfo. Maybe this was just a comforting line from a selector to a disappointed player, but it has proved to be truer than Voges could have imagined.
Voges gets to take part in the most famous fight for cricketing glory – the Ashes.
No doors were shut on me: Voges
At the time, Lehmann’s honesty enabled Voges to face the reality, and he focused all of his energies on playing for Western Australia. “It took a little while I must admit, but I moved on and my focus from then was doing well for WA. I think during that conversation I said, 'Well I'm done then am I', and his answer was no, you're not”, said Voges.
Voges admits that Lehmann’s honesty made sure that there were no bitter feelings between them. He said, “So maybe there was that little glimmer of hope when I walked away from that, but he certainly didn't shut the door that's for sure. It was just an honest chat that we had. It hasn't changed me or him as a person in any way. I think there's still a mutual respect and a good relationship there. I'm sure it was a hard chat for him to have as well.”
Voges played excellently for Western Australia, so well in fact, that he was included in the squad to West Indies and England. He debuted with a fabulous century, going down in the record books as the oldest man to score a century on a debut.
I was batting the other day [in Chelmsford] and I came out and Warner was smacking them. Then he got out and Watto came in and he smacked them. Then he got out and Mitch Marsh came in and he smacked them," Voges said. "I was quite happy doing my thing at the other end. If I can build partnerships with those guys then that's what I try and focus on.
"There will be times where I hopefully get a bit of a run on as well, and I'm certainly not there to just occupy balls. I'll certainly be proactive and positive in the way that I play but those guys were on a different level the other day. I think that's the art of batting, knowing when are the right times to attack and when a bloke is bowling well and you need to get through a tricky period. And knowing when you can cash in as well."
My experience will hold me in good stead: Voges
The Ashes is a high pressure, high stakes series. It is very rarely that players with not much Test experience get a chance to play in the Ashes. It was Chris Rogers in 2013, and it is Voges in 2015. Experience of first-class matches and an excellent domestic record does help such players make their mark from the start.
“I've learnt a bit of patience over the last few years," Voges said. "My two young ones will be here tomorrow, and I think they've taught me patience pretty well. But I think it's just experience - it's going to be a big occasion, I'm sure there will be some nerves. You'd be disappointed if there weren't.
"But just going back and knowing I've played a lot of cricket now and just being able to go back on that experience and hopefully that will hold me in good stead."
Voges has played first-class cricket in both England and Australia, so he knows quite a fair bit about many England players. This knowledge might prove useful. But will the fact that Voges was team mates with players who are on the opposite side now affect the friction of the Ashes?
Always got along with Voges: Broad
Stuart Broad, his team mate for Nottingham, dismissed this by saying, “I've played a lot with him, I've always got along well with him. It's always different when you walk across the white line, and we won't be saying too much to each other I'm pretty sure. Once it's all finished I'm sure we'll have a beer afterwards but we're here for business now, and that's how it will be.
"It's the Ashes, we all grow up watching and is probably the most important Test series, so from that point of view, because of the occasion and how big it is, there's always going to be a little bit of niggle in the heat of the moment, and that's fine. Looking forward to getting out there.”
If Voges maintains his form and plays as brilliantly as he has in his other matches, he is sure to be a valuable asset to the side.