NZ v Australia 1st Test: Adam Voges relieved his average has dipped below Sir Don Bradman’s

ADAM Voges says he’s relieved that his average has dipped below Sir Donald Bradman’s after temporarily passing the cricketing legend.

Voges happy to be second to Sir Don

MARK Taylor once retired on the same score as Sir Donald Bradman and Adam Voges was happy to defer to the legend as well.

As Voges’ average soared over 105 in Wellington, an Australian dressing room was willing him on to remain unbeaten and keep his head above The Don’s magical 99.94 average for perhaps another week at least.

But ultimately out for 239, ending a world record 614-run streak without being dismissed in Test cricket, the unassuming West Australian admitted he’s never been more relieved to be caught in his entire career.

“That doesn’t sit all that comfortably with me to be honest,” said Voges, whose average has now dipped to a still remarkable 97.46.

“I’m probably happy that I’m out now and it’s gone back under.

“I can just get on with playing cricket I guess.

“The boys had a bit of fun taking the mickey out of me in the change rooms but it’s all good.

“It (the average) was never going to stay there, it won’t stay there, I know that. (Coming back to earth) was always going to happen at some stage.”

But there’s been no crash landing at this stage — Voges is still very much occupying the same statistical stratosphere as The Don, even if his career doesn’t quite justify him being mentioned in the same conversation as the greatest batsman of all time.

The usual benchmark for accurately calculating a Test average is 20 Test innings and Voges is still one away from that point.

Adam Voges temporarily passed Bradman’s average of 99.94.

But even if he was to make a duck in his next dig he would still average 90.5 from 20 Test innings, meaning he would officially sit below Bradman with the second highest career average of all time.

The next highest is South African great Graeme Pollock who retired with an average of 60.97.

A big score from Voges next up could even see him overtake The Don again as he did momentarily during this match.

Of course the balance of time will almost ultimately catch up with Voges as it did with Mike Hussey and his magical career start a few years ago, but even as a moment in time, this is an amazing achievement.

At 36 years of age Voges was never meant to get a crack at Test cricket, but he has grasped his opportunity like few others in history.

Darren Lehmann jokingly broached the subject of instant retirement with Voges so that he can live forever alongside Sir Donald, but the unassuming star has worked too hard for that.

Like Taylor determined when he retired on 334 not out after two days of batting against Pakistan in 1998, there’s no joy in surpassing a statistic trademarked by The Don.

“Look it’s been an amazing year and a half. I still sit down at times and just reflect on what’s happened,” he said.

“I probably wouldn’t have thought I’d be here doing what I am but it’s amazing what some hard work and runs, confidence and opportunity can do.

“Hopefully there’s a bit more left.

“I’m giving myself every chance to get in each time I bat and then when I do get in I’m hungry to score runs and score big runs.

“I try and keep it pretty simple. I think I’m still learning and getting better.

“It comes with time and a lot of hard work as well and understanding your game.”

Voges isn’t naive enough to glance over the fact he should have been out for 7 — saved only by one of the biggest umpiring howlers in decades.

When he failed to offer a shot and Doug Bracewell clean-bowled him in the final over on day one, Voges was resigned to being on his way, unaware of umpire Richard Illingworth’s incorrect no-ball call.

“Obviously it could have been a lot different,” he said.

“I thought I was out. You’re not leaving it if you hear a no-ball call I wouldn’t have thought.

“I turned around, it was a bad leave, saw the stumps, went to walk off, and then saw the arm out.

“You don’t get second chances too often so I’m going to try and take the game on a little bit here.

“It was a little bit of luck.”