So much has been written and said about ‘the Bullring’. The Wanderers in Johannesburg is to South Africans what the MCG is to Australians: a fortress of intimidation. A stronghold where visitors quiver upon mention and suffocate on arrival. Australia’s ice man Steve Waugh said even he was intimidated by the venue. The fans sit on top of the players, baying for blood. Merv Hughes was angered to the point of violent backlash. Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn were doused in a mixture of saliva and beer. Ian Healy said that South African fans are so similar to Australia’s, which is what makes it so scary.
Yet, like England’s home of cricket Lord’s, the Wanderers has laid down arms for Australia in recent times. Three out of the last three test matches played there have gone the way of the baggy greens, two by an innings. A World Cup was won there. And although the record run chase in ODI history was conceded there, a test match victory of the highest order was achieved no less than a month later.
Some of Australia’s finest individual performances have taken place there. In 1997, Greg Blewett and Steve Waugh batted through an entire day together to set up an innings victory. Blewett posted his highest test score of 214 in a stand of 385 with his vice-captain, the second highest fifth wicket partnership in test history.
In 2002, haunted by personal troubles and an unforgiving crowd, Adam Gilchrist bludgeoned what was then the fastest double century in test history. Again it laid the platform for a frightful innings hiding of the hosts.
When the whites are swapped for the pyjamas at the Wanderers Ricky Ponting becomes unstoppable. His 140no in the 2003 World Cup final saw his turbaned-tormentor Harbhajan Singh get torched by the Ponting blade. Such was the incredible power of his hitting Ian Harvey was prompted get a bag of ice ready for the middle of Ponting’s bat upon its return to the rooms.
In the 2006 one-day classic at the Wanderers it was Ponting again setting a new standard for excellence. His 164 off 105 deliveries was outrageous, but unfortunately eclipsed later by Herschelle Gibbs’ masterful 175.
But of all the Australian conquerors of ‘the Bullring’, few have had the success of the much maligned matador Damien Martyn.
South Africa was supposed to haunt Martyn. The demons of 1994 could well have done irreparable damage. Martyn was a Darwin born, West Australian raised prodigy. A first grade hundred arrived aged 15, his first-class debut came at 19, and he received his first baggy green a month after his 21st birthday. Martyn showed enough against the West Indian pace-battery in the summer of 1992-93 to gain invites to tour New Zealand and England during the autumn and winter, but he played just one test in Auckland.
The following summer would haunt him for years to come. In his seventh test match he posted 59 in the first dig, his third half century in 11 test innings. But his 12th in the same game would be a nail in his cricketing coffin. A feeble pushed catch to cover for 6 saw him become the scapegoat for one of Australia’s worst ever test collapses. On his tombstone they would write ‘too flashy, too soft’, and he was cast to state ranks for the rest of the decade.
He was burdened with the WA captaincy, an office he could hardly have been less suited for. Martyn was a mysterious, mercurial character. He shunned the spotlight, and hated being centre of attention. His game suffered in the centric role. He was best suited to being left alone. To being the man in the dressing room who quietly went about his own game, undisturbed by outside influence, in order to produce match winning brilliance that could not be articulated but was much appreciated.
When Tom Moody replaced him, Martyn’s appetite for runs returned. He formed the backbone of WA’s back-to-back-to-back four-day domestic titles. He was Man of the Match in the last. Chicken pox and glandular fever felled his equally prolific WA teammate Simon Katich during the 1999 tour of Sri Lanka, setting back Katich’s national promotion 24 months. Katich’s ill-fortune gave Martyn a rebirth. When Ponting damaged an ankle in January 2000, Martyn returned to test cricket in New Zealand. He was no longer a soft, flashy stroke-maker, but a reliable, classy accumulator. Martyn made exceptional contributions in Wellington and Hamilton, but with Ponting’s rightful return imminent he knew he had to bide his time.
His opportunity came once more with an injury to Steve Waugh in December 2000. This time he ensured that his cricketing tombstone was crushed emphatically. He followed a composed 46no in the first innings with 34no in the second after he’d entered to flashes of déjà vu, with Australia 4 for 48 chasing 130 for its 13th consecutive test victory.
Waugh’s return saw Martyn miss out again as they went with their tried and trusted in India. The theory that Martyn was vulnerable to world-class spin would have to be dispelled on the next sub-continental tour as the incumbent number six Ponting averaged less than a meagre boundary per innings and was Harbhajan-ed five times out of five.
Amazingly the Tasmanian was promoted to three for the first test of the 2001 Ashes, mainly due to limited overs form, at the expense of Justin Langer which allowed Martyn a full-time role. He celebrated with his first two test hundreds in Birmingham and Leeds.
Although his game had changed his ego and maturity was still vulnerable. Stephen Fleming and the New Zealand side toyed with him in the summer of 2001-02. Rather than target a weakness they banked on his strength, bowling short and wide and stacking the point and gully region waiting for a mistake. Time after time it came. Such was the success of the ploy it eventually became humiliatingly humorous for not only the fans but Martyn himself. It is an apt description for the often-worn smirk after the West Australian was dismissed to either a great catch or an unjust adjudication.
But Martyn redeemed himself at the Wanderers in 2002. His first visit provided his third test century in four test innings, all against South Africa. But it was ‘the Bullring’ where Martyn and Gilchrist stood shoulder to shoulder for 317 runs, defying the Proteas' attack, a feral crowd, and a barrage of abuse against his partner, the vice-captain.
Gilchrist was forever grateful for Martyn’s support. Despite his aloofness with the press he was much loved in the dressing rooms.
His love affair with the Wanderers continued in the 2003 World Cup. Despite a badly broken index finger he shunned the pain and the perception of his marsh-mellow interior to make 88no in the final. He was the silent partner in the 234-run stand with his captain but his innings was no less valuable in setting up a second successive World Cup win. Martyn’s finger was so bad he had to forego the subsequent tour of the Caribbean.
Martyn’s crowning glory came on the sub-continent in 2004. Having destroyed attacks on the fast and bouncy WACA tracks of his early first-class career he was perceived as a pace specialist. He was extraordinary in Sri Lanka. Each Australian batsman was left to their own devices to formulate a plan for Muttiah Muralitharan. The two most successful were Darren Lehmann and Martyn, with two plans that could not have been more contrasting. Lehmann never stayed still, whilst Martyn played back to everything. Two centuries apiece ensured Australia won three-nil after trailing in the first innings of each test match.
In India, arguably Australia’s greatest triumph of their golden era, Martyn was Man of the Series. He went within three runs of scoring three consecutive centuries, and he was the only Australian bat to tame the monstrosity of a surface in Mumbai. For twelve months he was Australia’s best player but with so many successes coming abroad he never received the recognition he so richly deserved. Michael Clarke won the Allan Border medal that year, voters blinded to Martyn’s brilliance by the young star.
The Ashes 2005 would be his darkest hour, as it was for so many of his teammates. Rumours were abound that Martyn was sick of cricket. He was plagued by ill-fortune throughout the series, copping some very rough umpiring adjudications. Running out his captain at Trent Bridge, combined with a horrendous shot at the Oval, as well as whispers of discontent amongst the unit at Martyn’s failure to appear at rostered sponsors’ functions, and his general attitude, rightly or wrongly cost him his test place.
For the summer of 2005-06 he plied his trade in state and grade cricket, all the while wrestling with his relationship with the game. He struggled for the most part bar a one-day hundred against Victoria. His replacement Brad Hodge produced a test double-century and it seemed his days were numbered.
But ironically, Hodge was mystifyingly left out of the touring party to South Africa in early 2006. Just as with Dean Jones 14 years earlier, Martyn was the replacement. There was hardly an explanation as to Martyn’s return. The cynic would say Martyn’s popularity with the captain could well have been the only reason. But again he confounded his critics. He made an important half-century in Durban to help seal the two-nil result.
But his finest hour, arguably in test cricket, came once more at the Wanderers. Australia, a man down after Langer was badly concussed in the first innings was asked to chase 292 in the fourth innings on a very difficult surface at ‘the Bullring’. Dead rubber or not, it was a chance at redemption for Ponting’s side, who had failed at a similar number at Edgbaston in 2005 where the same batsman minus Clarke and Katich had faltered and the bowlers had got them within 2 runs.
Here the task was more difficult given Matthew Hayden fell for a duck, and Ponting after four hundreds in six hits departed with the total at 33. Martyn and stand-in opener Hussey combined for 165 in just over three hours. Martyn’s innings could best be described as controlled beauty. He timed the ball superbly and placed it exceptionally. Despite four majestic hundreds against high quality spin bowling in sub-continental cauldrons, his matador-like effort against one of the most experienced South African pace attacks ever assembled was to be his best in international cricket. Australia went to stumps on day four with just three wickets in hand, presuming Langer would not bat, Martyn seven short of his 13th test hundred, still 44 short of an incredible victory.
Day five saw the magnificence and frustration of Damien Martyn personified in one over. He glided Shaun Pollock sublimely to the third man fence for his hundred, but fell in the same over trapped on the crease, Australia still requiring 34.
But take out Martyn’s hundred and they lose easily. Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz exorcised some demons of their own and Australia won their fifth straight test match laying the foundation for a record equalling 16 straight.
Remarkably Martyn would only play seven more innings in test cricket, each as carefree as the next. He walked away two tests into the Ashes whitewash, without so much as telling his teammates. He was present at the SCG for the five-nil triumph and the exit of three compatriots, but the only proof is a photo in the privacy of the dressing rooms.
Whatever one thinks of Damien Martyn the character, you can never question the player.
He was master of the Wanderers, ‘the Bullring’s’ finest matador.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Roger Federer: The best ever or the best never
Due to unforseen events I was unable to witness one of the great Australian Open finals of the modern era. But upon reflection having seen many highlights, and many reports, the themes seem very similar to the Wimbledon final of 2008. Nadal and Federer have now forged a rivalry to match any in the history of tennis, yet the results are lopsided. Does this undermine claims of Federer being the best of all-time? This was a piece i wrote after the Wimbledon final last year.
I felt privileged to have witnessed such an extraordinary Wimbledon final. Rafael Nadal is such a natural foe for Roger Federer that he may indeed be haunted for a great while yet. Federer made 52 unforced errors to Nadal's 27. But unlike every other opponent Federer plays he feels inferred pressure against the Majorcan. He feels he needs to make more of the half openings and the short balls offered because Nadal retrieves more balls than anyone else, in a similar vein to the way Hewitt used to succeed against a young Swiss maestro. Except Nadal returns with interest, and the pressure to put him away grows with every fizzing forehand that climbs steeply off the baseline. Nadal is almost tennis' version of the anti-Christ. Everything about him is the complete opposite to the messiah, Roger Federer. Federer floats across the court as if he is playing on velvet. Nadal digs in, churning up the court like a plough. Federer's racquet is like a wand. He uses it elegantly to produce one remarkable shot after another. Nadal wields his like an Excalibur, biceps bulging as he strikes with power and vigour, wearing down his opponent with every blow. Even in appearance they differ. Federer dressed impeccably like a king in gold trim - he barely raises a sweat - whilst Nadal sweats profusely, his muscle shirt clings to his bronzed, built body whilst his white shoes turn grey following two weeks of digging with his feet. As it stands now Nadal has Federer's measure. As little as 12 months ago it seemed Federer was destined be crowned the greatest of all time. He needed to simply surpass Sampras' Grand-Slam tally of 14, a mere formality, and claim a French Open title, a difficult yet still feasible proposition.
Now, at 26, he may not even be crowned the best of 2008. Illness struck him down in Melbourne when a pretender to the crown, Novak Djokovic, claimed his scalp in his 16th consecutive Grand-Slam semi-final. At the 2006 and 2007 French Open’s he was plagued by missed opportunities, losing both finals in four tough sets to Nadal. In 2008 he was crushed in straight sets which led to doubts over his place in tennis history.
Federer claimed these doubts were unfounded. Given his record it is hard to argue with him. Perhaps we had been hasty. But now having relinquished his crown at Wimbledon he may well be dethroned as the world’s number one player. At 26, seemingly in his prime, if he is not number one in 2008, how can he be the greatest of all time?
It is also hard to see him reclaiming his mantle as the world’s best. An ambitious claim I know, but there are elements to Roger Federer that set him apart from those sportsmen in this generation who are creating history that may never be eclipsed. There is an ego to Roger Federer. When you compare to the likes of Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, and Michael Phelps this is not an anomaly. By all accounts Federer is a lovely man. Quiet and humble. But by ego I mean he is stubborn in his ways. He was a prodigy. A natural precocious talent so far better than his rivals that he needed only believe in his abilities to become a world beater. He did this the day he beat Sampras at Wimbledon in 2002. But since then he has played the same way against every opponent. He toys with opponents from the baseline. He plays every shot with flair and class and he plays on his terms. He is concerned not about winning so much as the manner in which he wins. He needs to look effortless. His pre-match entry and garb is fit for a king. He is a fashion icon and enjoys the finer things in life.
This is far from a criticism. He is well within his rights to conduct himself in this manner. However his stubbornness is his weakness. It has cost him the chance to succeed at Roland Garros. He refuses to change his game to compete with the bullishness of Nadal. He has always been better than his opponents from the baseline. But he is not better than Nadal on clay. Federer’s refusal to shelve his single-handed backhand that concedes so many unforced errors on clay lost him two French Open finals. He is a superior serve and volleyer to Nadal but refused to mix it up on clay. He for so long competed without a coach claiming he didn’t need one. It seemed like he didn’t. Then when he employed Tony Roche to try and overcome his only hurdle to immortality, it seems he did not heed Roche’s advice.
Federer’s physique poses another question mark. Nadal has changed the boundaries. Federer was never fitter than Lleyton Hewitt but he didn’t need to be. He was just better. Now Nadal is not only as fit as Hewitt he is stronger and more powerful. He has taken the game to another level. The likes of Djokovic and Murray have focussed their attention to strength and conditioning to compete with Nadal. Federer looks like he has never seen the inside of a gym. This is undoubtedly not the case. But he has never had to. Things change.
And Federer will have to adapt to climb to the next echelon. The question will be whether his ego allows it. His friend Tiger Woods did it. At 24 he systematically reshaped the world of golf. He achieved a feat which may never be emulated again. He won four consecutive Major championships, the first two in a manner that seemed unfathomable, winning the US Open by 15 strokes and the British Open by eight.
By the middle of 2002, Woods had claimed eight major championships at the age of just 26. At the same age, his lure, Jack Nicklaus had claimed six major titles. Woods then went 24 months without winning a major. In that time he remodelled his swing and changed his physique in order avoid injury curtailing his long term quest. It seemed an unusual thing to do. Now, despite his current injury, he stands on the verge of becoming the greatest of all time. At 32 Woods has 14 majors, whilst Nicklaus at the same age had 11. But more than that he has changed his approach to the game. As a young man dominating golf he overpowered golf courses to bring fields to their knees. He had one way of playing and one way only. In 2006, in his British Open victory at Hoylake, he did not use his driver for the entire tournament. Such is Tiger’s will, it is no longer a case of playing to entertain he simply plays to win.
Likewise, Lance Armstrong went from a bullish prodigy who stubbornly won a World Championship at 21 in his own “un-coached style”, to a meticulous calculator who went to the enth degree in his preparations to beat his rivals on seven consecutive occasions to win, arguably the world’s most gruelling sporting event, the Tour de France.
Federer’s record on pure ability alone is extraordinary, but if he wishes to exorcise the demons of Roland Garros and eclipse Sampras’ mark without the same asterisk that haunts Pistol Pete, he will need to check his ego at the door and adapt to changes required to beat his anti-Christ Nadal. Otherwise rather than be known as the best ever, he will remain the best never.
I felt privileged to have witnessed such an extraordinary Wimbledon final. Rafael Nadal is such a natural foe for Roger Federer that he may indeed be haunted for a great while yet. Federer made 52 unforced errors to Nadal's 27. But unlike every other opponent Federer plays he feels inferred pressure against the Majorcan. He feels he needs to make more of the half openings and the short balls offered because Nadal retrieves more balls than anyone else, in a similar vein to the way Hewitt used to succeed against a young Swiss maestro. Except Nadal returns with interest, and the pressure to put him away grows with every fizzing forehand that climbs steeply off the baseline. Nadal is almost tennis' version of the anti-Christ. Everything about him is the complete opposite to the messiah, Roger Federer. Federer floats across the court as if he is playing on velvet. Nadal digs in, churning up the court like a plough. Federer's racquet is like a wand. He uses it elegantly to produce one remarkable shot after another. Nadal wields his like an Excalibur, biceps bulging as he strikes with power and vigour, wearing down his opponent with every blow. Even in appearance they differ. Federer dressed impeccably like a king in gold trim - he barely raises a sweat - whilst Nadal sweats profusely, his muscle shirt clings to his bronzed, built body whilst his white shoes turn grey following two weeks of digging with his feet. As it stands now Nadal has Federer's measure. As little as 12 months ago it seemed Federer was destined be crowned the greatest of all time. He needed to simply surpass Sampras' Grand-Slam tally of 14, a mere formality, and claim a French Open title, a difficult yet still feasible proposition.
Now, at 26, he may not even be crowned the best of 2008. Illness struck him down in Melbourne when a pretender to the crown, Novak Djokovic, claimed his scalp in his 16th consecutive Grand-Slam semi-final. At the 2006 and 2007 French Open’s he was plagued by missed opportunities, losing both finals in four tough sets to Nadal. In 2008 he was crushed in straight sets which led to doubts over his place in tennis history.
Federer claimed these doubts were unfounded. Given his record it is hard to argue with him. Perhaps we had been hasty. But now having relinquished his crown at Wimbledon he may well be dethroned as the world’s number one player. At 26, seemingly in his prime, if he is not number one in 2008, how can he be the greatest of all time?
It is also hard to see him reclaiming his mantle as the world’s best. An ambitious claim I know, but there are elements to Roger Federer that set him apart from those sportsmen in this generation who are creating history that may never be eclipsed. There is an ego to Roger Federer. When you compare to the likes of Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, and Michael Phelps this is not an anomaly. By all accounts Federer is a lovely man. Quiet and humble. But by ego I mean he is stubborn in his ways. He was a prodigy. A natural precocious talent so far better than his rivals that he needed only believe in his abilities to become a world beater. He did this the day he beat Sampras at Wimbledon in 2002. But since then he has played the same way against every opponent. He toys with opponents from the baseline. He plays every shot with flair and class and he plays on his terms. He is concerned not about winning so much as the manner in which he wins. He needs to look effortless. His pre-match entry and garb is fit for a king. He is a fashion icon and enjoys the finer things in life.
This is far from a criticism. He is well within his rights to conduct himself in this manner. However his stubbornness is his weakness. It has cost him the chance to succeed at Roland Garros. He refuses to change his game to compete with the bullishness of Nadal. He has always been better than his opponents from the baseline. But he is not better than Nadal on clay. Federer’s refusal to shelve his single-handed backhand that concedes so many unforced errors on clay lost him two French Open finals. He is a superior serve and volleyer to Nadal but refused to mix it up on clay. He for so long competed without a coach claiming he didn’t need one. It seemed like he didn’t. Then when he employed Tony Roche to try and overcome his only hurdle to immortality, it seems he did not heed Roche’s advice.
Federer’s physique poses another question mark. Nadal has changed the boundaries. Federer was never fitter than Lleyton Hewitt but he didn’t need to be. He was just better. Now Nadal is not only as fit as Hewitt he is stronger and more powerful. He has taken the game to another level. The likes of Djokovic and Murray have focussed their attention to strength and conditioning to compete with Nadal. Federer looks like he has never seen the inside of a gym. This is undoubtedly not the case. But he has never had to. Things change.
And Federer will have to adapt to climb to the next echelon. The question will be whether his ego allows it. His friend Tiger Woods did it. At 24 he systematically reshaped the world of golf. He achieved a feat which may never be emulated again. He won four consecutive Major championships, the first two in a manner that seemed unfathomable, winning the US Open by 15 strokes and the British Open by eight.
By the middle of 2002, Woods had claimed eight major championships at the age of just 26. At the same age, his lure, Jack Nicklaus had claimed six major titles. Woods then went 24 months without winning a major. In that time he remodelled his swing and changed his physique in order avoid injury curtailing his long term quest. It seemed an unusual thing to do. Now, despite his current injury, he stands on the verge of becoming the greatest of all time. At 32 Woods has 14 majors, whilst Nicklaus at the same age had 11. But more than that he has changed his approach to the game. As a young man dominating golf he overpowered golf courses to bring fields to their knees. He had one way of playing and one way only. In 2006, in his British Open victory at Hoylake, he did not use his driver for the entire tournament. Such is Tiger’s will, it is no longer a case of playing to entertain he simply plays to win.
Likewise, Lance Armstrong went from a bullish prodigy who stubbornly won a World Championship at 21 in his own “un-coached style”, to a meticulous calculator who went to the enth degree in his preparations to beat his rivals on seven consecutive occasions to win, arguably the world’s most gruelling sporting event, the Tour de France.
Federer’s record on pure ability alone is extraordinary, but if he wishes to exorcise the demons of Roland Garros and eclipse Sampras’ mark without the same asterisk that haunts Pistol Pete, he will need to check his ego at the door and adapt to changes required to beat his anti-Christ Nadal. Otherwise rather than be known as the best ever, he will remain the best never.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy Voges content, but incomplete
This was a feature piece on Adam Voges written for the Western Independant Newspaper in April 2007, shortly after his One-Day International debut. It was never published. I thought it was worth revisiting, given his national recall this week, as it is a neat insight into his character.
The WACA is a cold and lifeless place in April. No surprise really. What is surprising is the smell of sweat coming from the gym, deep beneath the Lillee-Marsh Stand. Very few cricketers are training at this time of year.
“Just keeping myself in nick.”
Adam Voges smiles. Australia’s newest one-day international representative is not resting on his laurels.
“When you’re lucky enough to be in the Australian set up you just see how hard those guys work and it motivates you to do that extra work.”
He sits uncomfortably in the players viewing area of an empty WACA ground. Voges claims it is merely weights training at this stage and that he is nowhere near picking up a bat yet.
A familiar face walks past.
“Hi Ruth.” Voges is genuine in his tone.
“Are you missing it already Adam?” Ruth observing Adam’s posture in a chair he might ordinarily occupy on game-day.
“Not at all.” Voges sounds enthusiastic as he outlines his plans for the winter break.
“I’m going to Melbourne next week and then I’m going on a fishing trip to Coral Bay with Sos (WA team-mate Shaun Marsh).”
Whilst Voges admits he won’t be spending his winter reliving the past year few could blame him if he did. The baby faced 27-year-old had the season of a lifetime. After Damien Martyn announced his shock retirement following an unforgettable second Ashes Test in Adelaide in December, Voges was a surprise selection in the 13-man squad for Perth.
He was informed whilst fielding during the festival match at Lilac Hill.
“There was no one more surprised than me.” Voges recalls, still seemingly awestruck by the whole episode.
“Honestly, the look on Tony Dodemaide’s face when he said ‘come with me’, I thought oh … what have I done this time? I had no idea what was going on and to be pulled off the ground I thought this must be serious.”
Voges’ fears were allayed after a torturous wait in the change-rooms.
“He handed me a phone and it was a guy from Cricket Australia who just said ‘congratulations you’re in the 13-man squad.’ It didn’t really sink in to start with.”
Whilst many wondered who Voges was and where he had come from few could ague with the merits of his selection. He had been sparkling early season form scoring 320 Pura Cup runs to December at an average of 160 including 144no at the SCG and 152no against Tasmania in Perth. Although he was nudged out of the final Test XI by Andrew Symonds, another opportunity was only just around the corner.
Ironically, injuries to Symonds and Michael Clarke, along with the resting of Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist granted Voges a seat on the plane to New Zealand for Australia’s three match one-day series in March 2007. Whilst many, including Adam Gilchrist, voiced their concerns about the value of such a series crammed between a long Australian summer and the World Cup, Voges was hardly complaining. He loved every minute of it. After carrying the drinks during the first two one-day internationals, in which Australia lost both and Voges was abused by Kiwi fans – “You can’t print what they said.”- he became Australia’s 163rd representative in One-Day Internationals during the third match in Hamilton.
“When Huss (Mike Hussey) pulled me aside and said ‘you’re going to play in this game’ I didn’t get a lot of sleep that night but I don’t think it affected me too much.”
It didn’t seem to. One might be overawed by having Glenn McGrath present you your cap and then having to bat with Matthew Hayden who was carving Australian record 181no, but Voges handled himself with aplomb. His 16no was “Husseyesque” given the 10 balls he had to work with and his brilliant catch and run out during the dramatic final overs of the match was reminiscent of Michael Clarke’s match-winning heroics in Wellington 14 months prior. However Voges’ three overs of left-arm orthodox may well be forgotten in a hurry. Not that he would care.
“It was such a great game. We made 350 and lost. I must have been the only bloke, apart from the Kiwis, walking off the field with a smile on his face because I loved every minute of it. I got belted everywhere when I bowled but still it was a great experience and I had a ball.”
Despite breaking into the Australian scene this summer nothing has changed for Voges. He still remains shrouded in anonymity and it’s just the way he likes it.
“If you compare it to AFL football we’re very much lesser lights, unless you’re a regular in the Australian set-up, not that I mind that at all. I’m quite happy with that and I wouldn’t want that to change at all.”
Whilst those outside the cricket world are still oblivious to Adam Voges, many of those who follow cricket might see him as an overnight success story. Nothing could be further from the truth. Voges is a veteran of three trips to the Centre of Excellence. He toured twice with Academy sides. In 2004 he captained a side in India, whilst in 2006 he dominated Academy games against the South African Academy and Kenya. He first came to prominence in 1999 when he toured England with an Australian Under 19’s side that featured Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, and Nathan Hauritz. Although back then under Rod Marsh he was a different player.
“I actually got picked as a left-arm chinaman for those games, and a year or two after that they went off the boil a bit. It got to a stage where I wasn’t enjoying doing it anymore. I guess the good thing was that while the leggies were going so bad it made me work on my batting which turned out to be a pretty good move I think.”
Voges maintains that of his three winters at the Academy the last two were of most benefit to his game. By that time he was firmly entrenched in the Western Australian side.
“It was more beneficial for me, just mainly because I knew my game a bit better and new what I wanted to do with my game. As a 20-year-old, obviously under Rod Marsh, you’re a bit star-struck and he tells you a lot of things that you think is the be all and end all and things that probably weren’t going to work for me but I stuck with it because I was a bit young and a bit naïve.”
Voges has a wise head on young shoulders. He is guarded about his own personal success. He is extremely team oriented in terms of his goals, and passionate about representing Western Australia.
“It’s a massive privilege to play WA and to be able to where the baggy yellow and it’s a privilege that we don’t take lightly. For me personally WA success is a massive goal.”
In a sport where ego’s can rule supreme Voges is simply a down to earth bloke. He grew up in Warnbro just south of Perth and like he says like many other Australian boys it was cricket in the summer and footy in the winter. His father is a schoolteacher and his mother a nurse. Voges is greatly appreciative of the family support he has received down the years.
“They’ve been awesome for me. They’ve been to every game of cricket or footy or tee-ball I’ve ever played. And my brother and my sister are the same they’re very, very supportive which is good for me.”
It is hard not to like Voges. He has the rare distinction of being extremely popular amongst team-mates and opponents alike. Justin Langer spoke glowingly of Voges’ selection in the test squad back in December.
“You pick character over cover-drives, and this bloke’s got character. There are a lot of young blokes around who are very talented and can play all the shots in the world, but he’s is just a very strong character, a terrific young bloke with an outstanding work ethic, and he displays a lot of leadership traits.” Langer said.
This is high praise from a man who is no longer the WA captain. Voges has been mentioned as a possible successor to Langer. He is realistic about his chances of becoming state captain given that Marcus North had the job when Langer was on national duty. Voges does lead his club side Melville.
“It’s something I’d like to do. If it happens that’s great but if doesn’t then I’m happy to support whoever gets the job.”
He would be a very popular skipper in the dressing rooms. He is extremely humbled when told that even in the cut-throat WACA First Grade competition his fiercest rivals think a great deal of him as a player and a bloke.
“I don’t not get along with people. I’m always happy to go into the opposition rooms and have a beer after the game. I really actually enjoy doing that. I’ve made a hell of a lot of friendships out of the game and friends that I’ll have for the rest of my life all around the country.”
Believe it or not Voges does not have an untarnished record. He was suspended from a Domestic one-day game in January 2006 for being late to a compulsory training session. He had been out celebrating a win against Queensland in Ryan Campbell’s last game and unfortunately slept in. Voges said he copped the punishment on the chin.
“It’s something that I certainly learned a lesson from and it won’t happen again. It made papers and that sort of thing which was a bit disappointing when you’ve got your grandma ringing you the next day wanting to know what’s going on, but it’s something that’s happened and I think I’ve moved on from it and learned from it.”
Unlike the two leaders he has played under in Langer and Hussey, Voges is not as intense about his cricket.
“Cricket doesn’t control my life 24/7. I certainly do have a very keen interest and I enjoy following the game but not 24/7.”
He admits he doesn’t watch a lot of cricket away from the game. And even when he’s there he’s not a great watcher.
“If I’m not next in I try not to watch too much of it.” Voges smiles as he reveals his laid back nature through the way he relaxes whilst waiting to bat.
“I’ll read a book. Do sudoku. Annoy someone. Go for a walk. Listen to my ipod.”
Snow Patrol and The Killers inhabit his ipod at the moment. Reasonably easy listening for a reasonably laid back man.
Away from the game he is looking forward to studying again. Voges began a Sports Science degree straight out of high school before cricket got in the way.
“I’m going to get back into that next semester and try and finish that off. It’s something that I’m interested in, and with it being more prevalent in sport these days it’s something I think I’d like to do once I’ve finished playing.”
In terms of pastimes he has three passions.
“I do like a punt. I won’t deny that.” Voges says with a smirk on his face. He is casual about his successful autumn carnival where he backed two group one winners. But he prefers the dogs to the nags.
“I’ve got one (greyhound) running at the moment and a couple more that should be running in the next month or so which is always just a bit of fun to see how they go. It’s a good night out.”
He also reveals he part owns a trotter with Warriors fitness trainer Greg Harding.
Unsurprisingly he is a keen golfer although he is extremely modest in his assessment of his golf game.
“I like playing golf. I’m not very good at it but I like playing it.”
His preferred pastime is fishing.
“I love fishing so I’ll try and do a fair bit more fishing. I’m going up to Coral Bay with Sos in a few weeks time which will be really good.”
Despite all his personal success this year Voges has his feet firmly planted on the ground. It is not surprising that he is so popular given his affable nature. He is a natural cricketer, a natural leader, and he would not look out of place in a baggy green cap.
The WACA is a cold and lifeless place in April. No surprise really. What is surprising is the smell of sweat coming from the gym, deep beneath the Lillee-Marsh Stand. Very few cricketers are training at this time of year.
“Just keeping myself in nick.”
Adam Voges smiles. Australia’s newest one-day international representative is not resting on his laurels.
“When you’re lucky enough to be in the Australian set up you just see how hard those guys work and it motivates you to do that extra work.”
He sits uncomfortably in the players viewing area of an empty WACA ground. Voges claims it is merely weights training at this stage and that he is nowhere near picking up a bat yet.
A familiar face walks past.
“Hi Ruth.” Voges is genuine in his tone.
“Are you missing it already Adam?” Ruth observing Adam’s posture in a chair he might ordinarily occupy on game-day.
“Not at all.” Voges sounds enthusiastic as he outlines his plans for the winter break.
“I’m going to Melbourne next week and then I’m going on a fishing trip to Coral Bay with Sos (WA team-mate Shaun Marsh).”
Whilst Voges admits he won’t be spending his winter reliving the past year few could blame him if he did. The baby faced 27-year-old had the season of a lifetime. After Damien Martyn announced his shock retirement following an unforgettable second Ashes Test in Adelaide in December, Voges was a surprise selection in the 13-man squad for Perth.
He was informed whilst fielding during the festival match at Lilac Hill.
“There was no one more surprised than me.” Voges recalls, still seemingly awestruck by the whole episode.
“Honestly, the look on Tony Dodemaide’s face when he said ‘come with me’, I thought oh … what have I done this time? I had no idea what was going on and to be pulled off the ground I thought this must be serious.”
Voges’ fears were allayed after a torturous wait in the change-rooms.
“He handed me a phone and it was a guy from Cricket Australia who just said ‘congratulations you’re in the 13-man squad.’ It didn’t really sink in to start with.”
Whilst many wondered who Voges was and where he had come from few could ague with the merits of his selection. He had been sparkling early season form scoring 320 Pura Cup runs to December at an average of 160 including 144no at the SCG and 152no against Tasmania in Perth. Although he was nudged out of the final Test XI by Andrew Symonds, another opportunity was only just around the corner.
Ironically, injuries to Symonds and Michael Clarke, along with the resting of Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist granted Voges a seat on the plane to New Zealand for Australia’s three match one-day series in March 2007. Whilst many, including Adam Gilchrist, voiced their concerns about the value of such a series crammed between a long Australian summer and the World Cup, Voges was hardly complaining. He loved every minute of it. After carrying the drinks during the first two one-day internationals, in which Australia lost both and Voges was abused by Kiwi fans – “You can’t print what they said.”- he became Australia’s 163rd representative in One-Day Internationals during the third match in Hamilton.
“When Huss (Mike Hussey) pulled me aside and said ‘you’re going to play in this game’ I didn’t get a lot of sleep that night but I don’t think it affected me too much.”
It didn’t seem to. One might be overawed by having Glenn McGrath present you your cap and then having to bat with Matthew Hayden who was carving Australian record 181no, but Voges handled himself with aplomb. His 16no was “Husseyesque” given the 10 balls he had to work with and his brilliant catch and run out during the dramatic final overs of the match was reminiscent of Michael Clarke’s match-winning heroics in Wellington 14 months prior. However Voges’ three overs of left-arm orthodox may well be forgotten in a hurry. Not that he would care.
“It was such a great game. We made 350 and lost. I must have been the only bloke, apart from the Kiwis, walking off the field with a smile on his face because I loved every minute of it. I got belted everywhere when I bowled but still it was a great experience and I had a ball.”
Despite breaking into the Australian scene this summer nothing has changed for Voges. He still remains shrouded in anonymity and it’s just the way he likes it.
“If you compare it to AFL football we’re very much lesser lights, unless you’re a regular in the Australian set-up, not that I mind that at all. I’m quite happy with that and I wouldn’t want that to change at all.”
Whilst those outside the cricket world are still oblivious to Adam Voges, many of those who follow cricket might see him as an overnight success story. Nothing could be further from the truth. Voges is a veteran of three trips to the Centre of Excellence. He toured twice with Academy sides. In 2004 he captained a side in India, whilst in 2006 he dominated Academy games against the South African Academy and Kenya. He first came to prominence in 1999 when he toured England with an Australian Under 19’s side that featured Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, and Nathan Hauritz. Although back then under Rod Marsh he was a different player.
“I actually got picked as a left-arm chinaman for those games, and a year or two after that they went off the boil a bit. It got to a stage where I wasn’t enjoying doing it anymore. I guess the good thing was that while the leggies were going so bad it made me work on my batting which turned out to be a pretty good move I think.”
Voges maintains that of his three winters at the Academy the last two were of most benefit to his game. By that time he was firmly entrenched in the Western Australian side.
“It was more beneficial for me, just mainly because I knew my game a bit better and new what I wanted to do with my game. As a 20-year-old, obviously under Rod Marsh, you’re a bit star-struck and he tells you a lot of things that you think is the be all and end all and things that probably weren’t going to work for me but I stuck with it because I was a bit young and a bit naïve.”
Voges has a wise head on young shoulders. He is guarded about his own personal success. He is extremely team oriented in terms of his goals, and passionate about representing Western Australia.
“It’s a massive privilege to play WA and to be able to where the baggy yellow and it’s a privilege that we don’t take lightly. For me personally WA success is a massive goal.”
In a sport where ego’s can rule supreme Voges is simply a down to earth bloke. He grew up in Warnbro just south of Perth and like he says like many other Australian boys it was cricket in the summer and footy in the winter. His father is a schoolteacher and his mother a nurse. Voges is greatly appreciative of the family support he has received down the years.
“They’ve been awesome for me. They’ve been to every game of cricket or footy or tee-ball I’ve ever played. And my brother and my sister are the same they’re very, very supportive which is good for me.”
It is hard not to like Voges. He has the rare distinction of being extremely popular amongst team-mates and opponents alike. Justin Langer spoke glowingly of Voges’ selection in the test squad back in December.
“You pick character over cover-drives, and this bloke’s got character. There are a lot of young blokes around who are very talented and can play all the shots in the world, but he’s is just a very strong character, a terrific young bloke with an outstanding work ethic, and he displays a lot of leadership traits.” Langer said.
This is high praise from a man who is no longer the WA captain. Voges has been mentioned as a possible successor to Langer. He is realistic about his chances of becoming state captain given that Marcus North had the job when Langer was on national duty. Voges does lead his club side Melville.
“It’s something I’d like to do. If it happens that’s great but if doesn’t then I’m happy to support whoever gets the job.”
He would be a very popular skipper in the dressing rooms. He is extremely humbled when told that even in the cut-throat WACA First Grade competition his fiercest rivals think a great deal of him as a player and a bloke.
“I don’t not get along with people. I’m always happy to go into the opposition rooms and have a beer after the game. I really actually enjoy doing that. I’ve made a hell of a lot of friendships out of the game and friends that I’ll have for the rest of my life all around the country.”
Believe it or not Voges does not have an untarnished record. He was suspended from a Domestic one-day game in January 2006 for being late to a compulsory training session. He had been out celebrating a win against Queensland in Ryan Campbell’s last game and unfortunately slept in. Voges said he copped the punishment on the chin.
“It’s something that I certainly learned a lesson from and it won’t happen again. It made papers and that sort of thing which was a bit disappointing when you’ve got your grandma ringing you the next day wanting to know what’s going on, but it’s something that’s happened and I think I’ve moved on from it and learned from it.”
Unlike the two leaders he has played under in Langer and Hussey, Voges is not as intense about his cricket.
“Cricket doesn’t control my life 24/7. I certainly do have a very keen interest and I enjoy following the game but not 24/7.”
He admits he doesn’t watch a lot of cricket away from the game. And even when he’s there he’s not a great watcher.
“If I’m not next in I try not to watch too much of it.” Voges smiles as he reveals his laid back nature through the way he relaxes whilst waiting to bat.
“I’ll read a book. Do sudoku. Annoy someone. Go for a walk. Listen to my ipod.”
Snow Patrol and The Killers inhabit his ipod at the moment. Reasonably easy listening for a reasonably laid back man.
Away from the game he is looking forward to studying again. Voges began a Sports Science degree straight out of high school before cricket got in the way.
“I’m going to get back into that next semester and try and finish that off. It’s something that I’m interested in, and with it being more prevalent in sport these days it’s something I think I’d like to do once I’ve finished playing.”
In terms of pastimes he has three passions.
“I do like a punt. I won’t deny that.” Voges says with a smirk on his face. He is casual about his successful autumn carnival where he backed two group one winners. But he prefers the dogs to the nags.
“I’ve got one (greyhound) running at the moment and a couple more that should be running in the next month or so which is always just a bit of fun to see how they go. It’s a good night out.”
He also reveals he part owns a trotter with Warriors fitness trainer Greg Harding.
Unsurprisingly he is a keen golfer although he is extremely modest in his assessment of his golf game.
“I like playing golf. I’m not very good at it but I like playing it.”
His preferred pastime is fishing.
“I love fishing so I’ll try and do a fair bit more fishing. I’m going up to Coral Bay with Sos in a few weeks time which will be really good.”
Despite all his personal success this year Voges has his feet firmly planted on the ground. It is not surprising that he is so popular given his affable nature. He is a natural cricketer, a natural leader, and he would not look out of place in a baggy green cap.
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