Adam Voges scored an unbeaten century on Test debut against the West Indies in Dominica to help Australia reach a commanding position on the second day of the first Test match. He thus became the oldest player to make Test hundred on debut.
The 35-year-old Voges played a fluent innings and played a gritty 247-ball innings. He survived the opening session of play, when the West Indies were seemed to be pulling away things with quick wickets.
“It’s a bit of a blur really to be honest,” Voges said. “I just yelled I think. I just had my hands up in the air yelling. Just pure elation. It’s been a long road, it’s been a lot of hard work.”
“Just to get the opportunity firstly and then to make the most of it and get a hundred on debut, is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time,” he added.
Australia gained total control at the Windsor Park by posting 318 in the first innings on a turner. Voges, along with the lower-order, created crucial partnerships to take Australia to a commanding position, which at one point looked unlikely.
Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo was the wrecker-in-chief as he spun his web in the opening session by dismissing Steve Smith, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin. But, Voges held one end firmly to take Australia to a strong position.
Voges made a 52-run stand with Mitchell Johnson to steady Australia innings after quick blows early in the session. He then went on to add 43 runs with Nathan Lyon and 97 runs for the final wicket with Josh Hazlewood.
“Every run that we could get in front and every part of that lead was going to be crucial,” Voges insisted. “Like I said, I think the wicket is getting harder and harder to bat on.”
“I think Nathan Lyon will come into the game a lot tomorrow along with our quicks,” he added. “So to get a 180 run lead, to put on nearly 100 for the last wicket was a terrific effort.”
Australia then rocked the West Indies with a couple of wickets by getting rid of Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite, who were dismissed by Johnson and Mitchell Starc respectively.
Windies could only manage to add 25 runs at stumps and they are still trailing by 145 runs with eight wickets in hand. Shane Dowrich and Darren Bravo are in the middle by the end of day’s play.
