Published: Sep 14, 2015, 02:08 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 15, 2015, 01:13 PM (IST)
Adam Voges’ appointment as Australia’s stand-in vice-captain for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh displays the lack of experience in the current squad that will play their first series post retirements of former skipper Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Chris Rogers, Ryan Harris and Shane Watson. To make it worse for the visitors, the thumb injury sustained during the One-Day International (ODI) series against England has ruled out opener and Steven Smith’s deputy in the whites David Warner for a couple of months. Voges, who managed just 201 runs from five games in the recently ended Ashes 2015 in England has been struggling to find form with the bat but was able to end with consecutive half-centuries in the fourth and fifth Tests. READ: Bangladesh vs Australia 2015: Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khawaja return as Australia name Test squad
According to Cricket Australia, National Selector Rod Marsh expressed the vulnerability in the current squad that lacks experience in the longest format of the game. “It was a very tough decision to make. We’ve got a lot of people that have played very few Test matches. The fact that Voges has captained Western Australia we have chosen him for the role in Bangladesh – it is quite possible to wake up in the morning and not be able to play if you’ve caught something. If Steven Smith did get crook, it would have been very tough to have anyone else captain the side but Voges,” he said.
He further added, “He’s had a lot of experience at captaincy, he’s got a cool head, and I think he’ll be an excellent vice-captain for Steven on his first tour of duty away from home as captain of the Australian Test team.” READ: Glenn Maxwell wants to become regular member of Australian Test squad
The 35-year-old’s heaps of First-Class experience has earned him this role. Also, the West Australian also captains the Warriors as well as Big Bash League champions Perth Scorchers, that is why he emerged as the likely candidate for vice-captain when leadership credentials within the group were assessed.
