Steve Smith heaps praise on Adam Voges' team spirit

Smith had declared when Voges was batting on 269*

Australian skipper Steven Smith hailed batsman and teammate Adam Voges’ selfless attitude as the latter was on the verge of scoring his first-ever triple century, in the first Test between Australia and West Indies in Hobart.

Voges scored his career best score of 269*, and was also invloved in an record 449-run partnership with Shaun Marsh, as Australia inflicted a big defeat on the visitors. Soon after the match had concluded, Smith was criticised by a number of cricket pundits for declaring prematurely and thus denying Voges, a well deserved 300.

However, Smith has now clarified that he had spoken to Voges, prior to declaring the innings, and also suggested that his team never thought about personal milestones. He went to say that Voges himself had rejected his chance for scoring the rare triple ton, and wanted to do what was best for the team.

"I think the way we play our best we don’t think about personal milestones and that kind of thing. And we go out there and try and drive the game as much as possible. I spoke to Vogesy at lunch and he was on 269 and it was 'do you want to have a quick crack?' or that kind of thing. And he was like, 'Nah, we’ll do what’s best for the team'.”

"That’s the kind of guy he is. He’s great around the group and he always wants the team to do well,” Smith told Cricket Australia.

Had Voges reached the milestone, he would have been only the seventh Australian batsman to have scored a 300, after Matthew Hayden, Mark Taylor, Don Bradman, Michael Clarke, Bob Simpson and Bob Cowper.

The 36-year old has been in brilliant form this season for Australia, having just started his Test career this year. In his debut Test year, Voges has already amassed 922 runs at an impressive average of 77.

Captain Smith praised the batsman’s wonderful ability to score whenever his team has been under pressure.

"He’s batting as well as anyone in the country at the moment and he’s got that experience. He’s been there and done the lot. I think it’s good that he’s scoring runs when we’re under pressure. I think that’s the most important thing and he’s providing that beautifully,” he said.