Adam Voges will step down as Western Australia men’s head coach at the end of the 2025-26 summer, opening the door to a full-time tilt at franchise cricket. WA Cricket hopes he will keep guiding Perth Scorchers in the BBL, but nothing is locked in.
The 41-year-old moved into the role in 2018-19 after Justin Langer joined the national set-up. Since then Western Australia have banked three straight Sheffield Shield crowns – Australia’s four-day competition – and four Marsh One-Day Cup titles, including three domestic doubles between 2021-22 and 2023-24. Last season was the first real stumble, bottom in both formats, yet they sit third in the current Shield table after a one-wicket escape against Queensland.
“I’m incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to be in the role of WA men’s team head coach over the past eight seasons,” Voges said. “We have enjoyed an incredible amount of success over the past four seasons, which is a credit to everyone involved with the side. It’s also been really pleasing to oversee many players from WA take the step to international duty and excel playing for their country. While it wasn’t an easy decision to make, I’m looking forward to pursuing more coaching opportunities in franchise cricket.”
Those opportunities are already forming. ESPNcricinfo reported earlier this month that Voges is in talks to assist Trent Rockets in the Hundred next northern summer. He has worked with Australia A, helped Andrew McDonald’s senior side on short tours and, given McDonald’s contract ends in 2027, is routinely mentioned as a future national coach.
WA administrators, meanwhile, are weighing succession. Assistant Beau Casson and high-performance boss Kade Harvey are the in-house options, though the board may cast wider. One official, speaking quietly after training this week, admitted the decision “has crept up quicker than we’d hoped”.
Voges’ playing résumé still raises eyebrows: 20 Tests, an average of 61.87, and the calmness older pros usually develop only after retirement. That composure has flowed into coaching. During his stint, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Aaron Hardie have all stepped smoothly into Australian colours, while teenager Mahli Beardman and all-rounder Cooper Connolly headline the next WA batch.
The outgoing coach concedes leaving mid-cycle feels odd, but insists the timing is right. “The landscape’s shifting,” he said during an understated media call. “Leagues run almost year-round. If I want to test myself elsewhere, now’s sensible.”
Western Australia’s campaign continues on 28 November against South Australia in Adelaide. Voges will be in the dug-out, plotting another tilt at silverware before the chapter closes.
