Monday 6 July 2015 23:32, UK
Adam Voges says he owes a debt of thanks to English cricket for his belated elevation to Test cricket.
The Australia batsman, 35, has played just two Tests for his country despite more than 11,000 runs on his CV, many of those made during spells with Middlesex and Nottinghamshire.
He broke into the Test team in the winter and marked his arrival with a man-of-the-match hundred on debut in last month's victory over West Indies in Dominica.
"I've had to wait a long time to get this opportunity," he said. "I've got no doubt county cricket has made me a better player.
"I think having to deal with different conditions, a different ball, different type of bowling has - over the years - improved my defensive technique.
"I've had five seasons at Notts and a couple of seasons at Middlesex - who looked after me fantastically well - and I thoroughly enjoyed my time here.
"It has helped me become a better cricketer. The Australian team is a tough one to get in to.
"So I had to consistently make runs at first-class level - and probably until the last two or three years, I wasn't as consistent as I would have liked to have been.
"I probably didn't demand a spot until the last couple of years. It has taken me a bit longer to work it out than the other guys maybe - but I'm glad to be here now."
The first Investec Ashes Test is live from Cardiff on our dedicated Sky Sports Ashes channel from Wednesday, July 8.
