Adam Voges
SYDNEY: Adam Voges announced his retirement from Australian first-class cricket on Wednesday, departing the domestic game as the oldest player to score a Test century on debut. The middle-order batsman played 20 Tests, 31 one-dayers and seven Twenty20s for his country in an international career spanning 10 years with a batting average above 45 across all forms of the game. Failing to catch the eye of selectors this year led the West Australian captain to announce his retirement at the end of the current Sheffield Shield season, although he still plans to play the T20 Big Bash League and for English county Middlesex. “It’s something I’ve been wrestling with and considering for a while but I feel now is the right time,” said the 37- year-old. “This season has been particularly physically and mentally tough, after being left out of the Test team and no longer having the carrot of international cricket to strive for. “After 15 years of firstclass cricket, my mind and body have been pushed to their limit. I have given my all to WA cricket.” At the age of 35, Voges made a first innings 130 not out in his Test debut against the West Indies in 2015. He leaves with a Test average of 68.87, second only to Donald Bradman in highest averages among players who have featured in more than 20 Tests. Aussie spinner Xavier Doherty also announced Wednesday that he will hang up his pads after representing Australia in all forms of the game between 2010 to 2015. The 34-year-old took more than 70 international scalps across his four Tests, 60 ODIs and 11 Twenty20s. He will continue to make himself available for the Big Bash. — AFP
