Over a decade and 160 first class matches after his cricket career began, Adam Voges finally became an Australian Test player on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old, who used a mountain of over 1300 Sheffield Shield runs to reignite his Test dream last summer, was handed a much-desired baggy green by former Test paceman Brendon Julian.
As with most of the 441 players before him, the cap went straight on his head and stayed there throughout his warm-up for the first Test against the West Indies in Dominica.
Voges is the seventh man over 35 to debut for Australia since 1950 - a number unmatched by any other Test nation.
His tally of 160 first class appearances is also only topped by three other Australians before they made their debut - Michael Hussey (175), Brad Hodge (166) and Andrew Symonds (165).
Voges didn't just saunter through his first day of Test cricket either, he played a leading role.
A stunning running catch which ended in a full-length dive to remove tail-ender Jerome Taylor was the first highlight.
Then came a breezy unbeaten 20 off just 27 deliveries in the closing overs before stumps after Michael Clarke's demise brought him to the crease.
Coach Darren Lehmann said he and fellow selector Mark Waugh had no hesitation in picking the batsman for the opening Test of the Caribbean tour.
"He's excited and pumped and deserves his chance," Lehmann said.
"He had an outstanding couple of years of Shield cricket.
"Really excited for him and his family and all the hard work he's done to get his chance."
THE OLD BOYS CLUB - Oldest players to make Test debut since 2000
Bryce McGain (Australia) 36 years and 359 days - v South Africa in Cape Town, March 2009
Shaun Udal (England) 36 years and 239 days - v Pakistan in Multan, Nov 2005
Adam Voges (Australia) 35 years and 242 days - v West Indies in Dominica, June 2015
Enamul Haque (Bangladesh) 35 years and 58 days - v Zimbabwe in Harare, April 2001
Zulfiqar Babar (Pakistan) 34 years and 308 days - v South Africa in Abu Dhabi, Oct 2013
Luke Ronchi (New Zealand) 34 years and 36 days - v England in Leeds, May 2015
Share
