Quantcast

Test spot 'tough' to win back: Voges

Despite a Test average in excess of 60, the right-hander admits it will be difficult to earn a national recall

Veteran batsman Adam Voges concedes he's unlikely to win back his Test spot, but he hasn't given up hope of guiding Western Australia to Sheffield Shield glory this summer.

Voges missed the recent day-night Test win over South Africa after copping a sickening blow to the head, but his grip on the No.5 spot in Australia's middle-order looked to be slipping anyway following lean trot with the bat.

Voges retires hurt after helmet blow

The 37-year-old has since overcome the concussion, and will line up in the Warriors' pink ball Shield clash with Queensland at the WACA Ground, starting on Monday.

But even if he does score a pile of runs in that match, Voges knows he faces an uphill battle to earn selection for the three-Test series against Pakistan.

Quick Single: Super Smith leads Aussies to 1-0 lead

"I think it's going to be tough, to be honest," he said of his chances of winning back his Test spot.

"I always felt that at my age if I missed any games through injury or form, getting my spot back was always going to be tough.

"It is what it is. I'm just looking forward to playing for WA on Monday."

Bizarre dismissals halt Australia’s charge

If Voges doesn't play another match for Australia, he will end his 20-Test career with a remarkable average of 61.87, the second-highest mark in Test history with a minimum of 20 innings.

At one point, his average sat above 100, with some teammates even dubbing him "The Don".

Voges sent a major scare around Australian cricket circles when he copped a sickening blow to the helmet in a Shield match against Tasmania November 17.

The right-hander suffered headaches for days after copping the delivery, but he made a successful return to cricket on Saturday when he cracked an unbeaten 142 for Melville in WA Premier Cricket.

Quick Single: Keep Voges in Test frame

"It was a pretty rough week straight after the knock. But I've felt good for a week, week and a half now," Voges, who suffered another concussion earlier this year while playing for English county side Middlesex, said.

"I've done a lot of training, faced a lot of balls in the nets.

"It was nice to spend some time out in the middle, and I got through no problems, no symptoms from the knock."

Rabada's superb over claims Voges

WA sit last on the Shield table following four outright losses.

But Voges hasn't given up hope of turning the season around.

And with his Test career all but over, the Warriors captain can now put his full focus into guiding WA out of their current mire.

Quick Single: Test stars, hopefuls on show in Shield

"It's been a tough start. It's a real focus of mine now to help the guys get a win on the board and get the season back on track," Voges said.

"With the way the ladder's positioned, we're two wins off second spot. While it hasn't been an ideal start, it's not all doom and gloom."

International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.