Smith praises team spirit of selfless Voges

Australia captain Steve Smith says he spoke to Adam Voges before declaring Australia's first innings closed in the first Test against the West Indies, when the veteran was just 31 runs short of scoring a rare triple century.

Smith declared at lunch on the second day of the first Test at Blundstone Arena after Voges and Shaun Marsh (182) had powered them to 4-583 from just 114 overs.

The skipper had been keen to unleash his bowlers on the dispirited Windies side but his declaration came as somewhat a surprise; Australia's scoring rate of more than five runs an over meant that time seemingly wasn't an issue, despite some inclement weather forecast, and Voges was flying on 269 not out when the declaration came.

Smith has revealed his decision to end the innings, leaving Voges just short of becoming the seventh Australian to notch a Test triple hundred, had the full blessing of the 36-year-old.

WATCH: The moment Voges brought up 200

"I think the way we play our best we don’t think about personal milestones and that kind of thing," Smith told Inside Cricket on Wednesday night. "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."

It's not the first time this summer that team success has been put ahead of a personal milestone for Voges; Australia declared at 4-556 in the first innings of the first Test against New Zealand when the Western Australian was 83 not out.

Voges's unbeaten 269 in Hobart pushed his career Test average to 76.83, capping off a golden year in which he made a Test debut that he thought may never come.

The right-hander has amassed 922 runs in 11 Tests since debuting in Dominica in June and he will earn a special piece of history if he can pass the 1000 run milestone in the second Test, starting on Boxing Day.

Should Voges score 78 runs or more in his first innings of the Boxing Day Test, his 18th career innings, he will become the equal fourth-fastest Australian to reach the 1000 run milestone.

"He’s batting as well as anyone in the country at the moment and he’s got that experience," Smith said. "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."

WATCH: WA duo punish the West Indies

While Voges's run-scoring has bolstered Australia's middle order, his vast experience has also added a welcome addition to the squad.

The retirements of Ryan Harris, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers and Mitchell Johnson this year has meant a total of 365 Tests worth of experience has also been lost from the side.

While Voges is a rookie at Test level, his extensive first-class experience has made him a valuable sounding board for Smith in his first summer as full-time captain.

"It’s been nice standing next to Adam Voges at second slip," Smith said.

"He’s played a lot of cricket, he’s extremely experienced, so he’s been someone I can bounce a few ideas off.

"Davey Warner obviously, my vice-captain, he’s quite nearby and he’s always got something to provide.

"We’ve got a great group, they really listen and want to get better as a group. It’s great."

Fastest Australians to 1000 Test runs

• 13 innings - Sir Donald Bradman
• 14 innings - Neil Harvey
• 17 innings - Sid Barnes
• 18 innings - Herbie Collins, Doug Walters, Mark Taylor
• 19 innings - Arthur Morris, Mike Hussey
• 20 innings - Jack Fingleton, Norm O'Neill, Brian Booth