Published: Feb 14, 2016, 12:44 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 14, 2016, 12:44 PM (IST)
Australian batting hero Adam Voges revelled in his luck Sunday after a game-breaking 239 against New Zealand following an umpiring blunder in the first Test in Wellington. But he admitted New Zealand had a right to “feel aggrieved” after he should have been out for seven. “To have that bit of luck and then capitalise on the second opportunity, I’m very happy with,” he said after his marathon innings steered Australia to 562 and a lead of 379. At stumps on day three, New Zealand were 178-4 in their second innings, needing a further 201 to make Australia bat again. “It has been a great day to get to 200 and get us into a great position is a very satisfying feeling,” he said. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia 2015-16, 1st Test at Wellington
Late on the first day Voges was bowled by Doug Bracewell without playing a shot. The umpire called no ball although television replays showed it was a legitimate delivery. “I thought I was out,” Voges confirmed. “You’re not leaving it if you hear a no ball called, I would have thought. “It was a bad leave and I turned around and looked at the stumps, went to walk off and saw the [umpire’s] arm out. Yeah, little bit of luck.” Voges knew he had escaped when he saw television footage at the end of the day’s play, but said when play resumed on Saturday the New Zealanders were “pretty good” about the ruling. ALSO READ: Adam Voges surpasses Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar during Day 2 of New Zealand vs Australia, 1st Test at Wellington
“They came out pretty well in the second day,” he said. “They have every right to feel aggrieved, I don’t blame for that. But they didn’t say much.” The 36-year-old Voges has been a late developer as a cricketer, not making the Australian team until last year. In 19 Test innings since, he has averaged 97.46 after being ahead of the legendary Don Bradman’s 99.94 before he was dismissed, caught and bowled by Mark Craig. He has already been nicknamed “The Don” by teammates, but said he was not comfortable with the comparison.
“That doesn’t sit too comfortably with me to be honest. I’m probably happy that I’m out now and it’s gone back under [Bradman’s mark] and I can go back to playing cricket. The boys have been having some fun and taking the mickey out of me a little bit in the changing rooms but it’s all good. A bit of fun. It was never going to stay there. It won’t stay there. I know that.”
