Adam Voges To Lead Prime Minister’s XI Against Sri Lanka
Jan 16, 2017 at 5:19 PM
Out of favour Test batsman Adam Voges will lead Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI against Sri Lanka at Canberra on February 15 ahead of the three-match T20I series.
The right-handed batsman, who made his Test debut at 35, was dropped from the Test team after Australia lost the home Test series against South Africa. Prior to that, he had scored 1485 runs in 20 matches at an average of over 60. But with the Australian team willing to give the youngsters an extended run, any chances of making a comeback to the Test side look bleak for Voges and he is well aware of that.
“I’m done in terms of international cricket. I can probably acknowledge the fact I’m not getting back in the side,” Voges said.
“I’m realistic enough to understand my performances weren’t up to scratch in my last few Tests and we lost those games which means there is always going to be change. It’s always disappointing to get dropped or left out of the side, but there was only one person to blame and that was me,”he added.
Speaking on his Test career, he said:“Being such a late starter it was good to get an opportunity at all, because two years ago I probably thought I was never going to play Test cricket.
“So to be able to play 20 Test matches and get that baggy green I worked so hard for over a long period of time is something I’ll look back on very fondly when it all finishes up,” he added.
He also expressed his happiness over the prospect of leading the Prime Minister’s XI.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be selected to captain the Prime Minister’s XI and captain alongside the likes of past greats including Brett Lee, Mike Hussey Ricky Ponting and Chris Rogers,” Voges said.
“Having played last year, I know how important this fixture is on the Australian cricketing calendar, and it is a great tradition.”
Meanwhile, the three-match series will start on February 17 at Melbourne before games in Geelong on February 19 and then Adelaide on February 22.