Australian batsman Adam Voges' 'long road' leads to debut delight versus West Indies

Australian batsman Adam Voges reflected on his "long road" to play Test cricket, after becoming the oldest player to make a century on debut on Thursday.

After 13 years of domestic cricket with Western Australia, Voges - a prolific run-scorer at Sheffield Shield level - finally made his Test breakthrough this week against West Indies.

Voges has finished as one of the top-10 run-scorers in four of the past five Sheffield Shield seasons, including topping the standings in 2014-15 with 1,358 at an average of 104.46.

Australia started the second day of the first Test in Dominica at 85-3 with Voges on 20 not out, and although he regularly lost team-mates throughout Thursday's play, the 35-year-old remained calm, finishing the visitors' first innings unbeaten on 130.

"It's been a long road, it's been a lot of hard work," Voges said afterwards.

"Just to get the opportunity firstly and then to make the most of it and get a hundred on debut, is something I've been thinking about for a long time."

Voges notched 100 just before tea, becoming the first Australian to reach three figures in his first Test match since Shaun Marsh in 2011.

"It's a bit of a blur really to be honest," Voges said.

"I just yelled I think. I just had my hands up in the air yelling. Just pure elation."

Voges' innings put Australia 170 runs in front, with the right-hander combining with Josh Hazlewood (39) for a 97-run partnership for the 10th wicket - the equal-seventh highest in Australia's Test history.

West Indies finished the second day at 25-2 after Shai Hope (2) and Kraigg Brathwaite (15) were both dismissed in the third session.

"Every run that we could get in front and every part of that lead was going to be crucial," Voges said.

"Like I said, I think the wicket is getting harder and harder to bat on.

"I think Nathan Lyon will come into the game a lot tomorrow along with our quicks.

"So to get a 180-run lead, to put on nearly 100 for the last wicket was a terrific effort."

Before Voges received his baggy green cap on Wednesday, the Western Australian had played 31 one-day internationals for his country and seven Twenty20 internationals.