Nine Aussies who prospered past 35

At 35 years and 243 days, Adam Voges’ unbeaten 130 in Dominica catapulted him to the top of the list of oldest players to score a century on Test debut, eclipsing Zimbabwe’s Dave Houghton by 135 days.

The Western Australian had to wait a lifetime for the Baggy Green but took his opportunity with both hands, carving out a 247-ball innings in trying conditions as wickets fell around him.

With Voges giving hope to those born in the generation of double denim, spandex and the Kookaburra Bubble, cricket.com.au takes a look at those who thrived after their 35th birthday.

Sir Donald Bradman

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Dominant from the time he picked up a bat, Sir Donald Bradman already boasted 20 Test centuries, including eight double-centuries and two triple-centuries, before his 35th birthday but continued his near-faultless batting well beyond then. Despite an eight-year hiatus as WWII ran its course, Bradman picked up where he left off at age 38, adding almost one-third of his runs and another eight centuries and one double-century to his incredible record.

Tests (after age 35): 15

Innings: 23

Runs: 1903

Average: 105.7

100/200s: 8/1

Michael Hussey

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'Mr Cricket' began his career as a replacement for the injured Justin Langer against the West Indies in Brisbane at the age of 30 and became one of Australia’s most dominant batsmen over an eight-year period. Even when he hit 35, Hussey continued his dominance on the world stage, proving his best was in front of him by compiling more than 2000 runs and eight centuries, including back-to-back tons twice.

Tests (after age 35): 29

Innings: 51

Runs: 2323

Average: 51.6

100s: 8

Justin Langer

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The current Western Australia and Perth Scorchers coach was a vital part of Australia’s most dominant era in Test cricket. In combination with Matthew Hayden, the two stalwarts sit seventh on the all-time century partnerships list with 14. Although 'Alfie' was past his best by 35, the left-hander still made solid contributions with the bat, none more so than the 303 runs in his final Test series against England to regain the Ashes.

Tests (after age 35): 11

Innings: 20

Runs: 673

Average: 39.5

100s: 1

Shane Warne

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The King of Spin was 11 years past the ‘Ball of the Century’ but still had the ball on a string at 35. With five more overseas tours before retirement, Warne didn’t look like slowing down and it showed in the 2005 Ashes series where he was named joint winner of the Player of the Series with 249 runs and 40 wickets. 

Tests (after age 35): 33

Wickets: 181

Average: 25.2

5WI/10WIs: 10/2

Allan Border

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Australia’s longest serving Test captain played well past 35 and for good reason; he was still setting the benchmark for his young pupils. Working alongside a rising stars Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh, and combining with David Boon, the elder statesmen of the squad became the second man behind India's Sunil Gavaskar to reach 10,000 Test runs.

Tests (after age 35): 41

Innings: 67

Runs: 2473

Average: 57.5

100/200s: 3/1

Steve Waugh

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The 168-Test legend, Waugh fought his way to a 19-year career and was always up for a battle. That battle came in the form of intense scrutiny over his position in the Test side at the turn of the millennium but in true Steve Waugh-fashion, it was met with resistance. Waugh proved his doubters wrong by becoming the second Australian to surpass 10,000 runs at the age of 37, and no innings more memorable in the twilight of his career than his 102 against England at the SCG in 2003.

Tests (after age 35): 40

Innings: 56

Runs: 2554

Average: 52.1

100s: 10

Colin Miller

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Renowned for his constantly changing hair colour, Miller played a handy role in the Steve Waugh-led side of 2001. Playing only 18 Tests, Miller dominated the 2000-01 season at age 37 to be voted Test Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal awards. Often considered third in the spin pecking order behind Warne and Stuart MacGill, Funky crushed the West Indies that summer, taking a career best 10-113 at the Adelaide Oval, including the prize scalp of Brian Lara twice.

Tests (after age 35): 12

Wickets: 52

Average: 23.8

5WI/10WIs: 1/1

Bob Simpson

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After calling time on his 52-Test career at the age of 32, Bob Simpson felt compelled to come back and lead his country a decade later with the entire Test side – minus Jeff Thompson – defecting to World Series Cricket. Simpson, aged 41, hadn’t played first-class cricket since retirement but continued where he left off, adding two centuries and helping Australia to an unexpected five Test wins. 

Tests (after age 35): 10

Innings: 19

Runs: 738

Average: 38.8

100s: 2

Matthew Hayden

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The bullocking left-handed Queenslander had a rocky start to his prolific Test career before cementing his spot at the top of the Australian order after the dramatic 2001 Test series loss to India. After 35, Hayden continued to monster opposition attacks with his forceful stroke play and all-out aggression. Hayden finished his career as Australia’s fourth-highest run-scorer. 

Tests (after age 35): 19

Innings: 34

Runs: 1239

Average: 38.7

100s: 4