Voges credits Langer for Test ton

Many have helped Adam Voges on his decade-long journey to Test cricket but it’s Justin Langer who he feels has elevated him to the highest level.

The 35-year-old’s unbeaten 130 on debut against the West Indies was the latest big score in a year that has simply been about runs for the West Australian skipper.

A Sheffield Shield campaign where he scored 1358 runs at 104.46 was impossible for selectors to ignore.

Three more 50s and a century during a four-match county stint with Middlesex before the Caribbean tour kept that form going.

And it all culminated on Thursday in the highlight of Voges’ career, when he became the oldest man in history to make a Test century on debut.

Voges revival is in line with the former Test opener’s appointment as WA coach in 2012.

The tall right-hander says that’s more than just coincidence.

“JL coming on board has been a huge impact on my career and WA cricket in general,” Voges said.

“The impact he’s had in the last couple of seasons, I don’t think you can underestimate how big an influence he’s had around WA

“For me personally, he’s been magnificent. I can’t speak highly enough of what he’s done for my setup and for me.”

Langer’s influence in WA’s rise is clear to see in Australia’s Test lineup in Dominica.

Along with Voges, fellow WA players Shaun Marsh are in the lineup while Mitchell Marsh is in the squad in the Caribbean.

NSW is the only other state represented in the XI playing the Windies in the first Test.

While Voges has been able to share his first taste of Test cricket with his state teammates, he’s also doing his best to share the experience with his family back home.

He’s been in contact with wife Kristy, their two children, with Cricket Australia arranging for the family to send him a video message that he watched on the morning he became a Test player.

It’s been a week he’ll never forget, possibly made even sweeter by the longer-than-usual journey it’s taken to get to this point.

“I was that excited when I found out I was playing this game,” Voges said.

“To get picked on the tour is one thing. To actually get this cap and get a game is another.

“I felt like I’ve batted really, really well over the last few years.

“Just to get the opportunity and make the most of it – it’s been a long, long journey but it’s certainly been worth the wait and I couldn’t be happier.”

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