Western Warriors captain Adam Voges has announced that he will retire from domestic state cricket at the end of the current season.
The 37-year-old had a decorated 15-year career with the Warriors in the Sheffield Shield, and recently overtook John Inverarity for most wins as captain of the WA side.
"It was a decision that hasn’t been made lightly,” Voges said.
"It’s something I’ve been wrestling with and considering for a while but I feel now is the right time.
"This season has been particularly physically and mentally tough, after being left out of the Test team and no longer having the carrot of international cricket to strive for.
"After 15 years of first class cricket, my mind and body have been pushed to their limit. I have given my all to WA cricket.
"Ultimately my form this season hasn't been good enough. I’ve always judged my season on how I have performed in the Sheffield Shield. This year I haven't played as well as I would have liked.”
Voges has represented WA 111 times in his career to date, and has scored 7,433 including 19 centuries, which sees him sit fourth on Western Australia's all-time Shield runs list.
He also played 20 Tests, 31 One-Day Internationals and seven T20 internationals for Australia, and finished his Test career with a batting average of 61.87, second only to Don Bradman for the best average in history by a player with 20 Tests or more.
"There’s been so many people who’ve helped me along the way and influenced me during my 15-year career for WA,” Voges said.
"To my family, my wife Kristy and the kids who are my whole world and who keep life normal. You can often be in a bubble when you’re playing professional sport.
"They give me balance and meaning outside of that. They have been my biggest fans the whole way.
"I’ve spent a lot of time away from home, I look forward to being able to spend a lot more time with them.
"To my parents, as a youngster who loved cricket, being driven around constantly to games on weekends and to training sessions and bringing me up to the WACA and all the sacrifices that they made so I could have my chance to live out this dream, I can’t thank them enough.
"To the players who have been my team-mates and shared memories with along the way. I’ve made so many good friends from the game and have so many wonderful memories from representing WA and the friendships I’ve made along the way.
"To all the staff at the WACA and everyone who has played a part over the last 15 years in helping me achieve what I’ve been able to achieve, I can’t thank them enough.
"Finally to JL [Justin Langer] who, outside of my family, has no doubt been the biggest influence in my career, as a team-mate, friend and coach.
"He turned me from a steady state cricketer to someone who got an opportunity to play Test cricket, wear a baggy green and play 20 Tests for Australia. For that I’ll always be grateful.”
