Adam Voges: “To keep our program strong we need to build depth in the next wave of WA cricketers”

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Former Australia batsman Adam Voges has succeeded Justin Langer as the head coach of Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers.

Langer vacated the two positions as he replaced Darren Lehmann as head coach of the Australian team.

Voges retired from all forms of cricket after the latest edition of the Big Bash League (BBL), which ended in February. The 38-year-old represented the Scorchers in the tournament, where they fell to the Hobart Hurricanes in the semi-finals.

WACA CEO Christina Matthews admitted “it was the natural progression to appoint Adam after Justin left”.

“As captain, Adam played a huge role in helping to develop the culture that has delivered us considerable success over the past few years,” she was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “Adam has an understanding of all the players and we know he works well with the current staff.

“Adam has a playing group that believe in his brand of leadership, players who have followed him for many years and look up to him as a trusted mentor and friend.”

Voges added: “We’ve had some terrific success in white ball cricket over the past few seasons and we’ve seen some great inclusions into the Australian team, but to keep our program strong we need to build depth in the next wave of WA cricketers.

“The focus for this year is very much improving our red ball cricket and making sure we’re right up there in the Sheffield Shield.”