Adam Voges says he is not enjoying the attention that comes with topping Sir Donald Bradman, but the spotlight will remain on him for a little while yet.
Bradman is still under threat. Voges' inevitable slide from cricket's stratosphere began on Sunday but The Don's iconic average remains very much in the West Australian's reach.
For more than 18 hours, Voges' average sat in triple figures, above Bradman's iconic 99.94, before order was restored. Not even Voges' biggest believers believe the red-hot batsman will finish near the great heights he has just scaled but there is still plenty of life left in this numerical madness.
His departure for a record-breaking 239 brought his average down from 105.58 to 97.46. If he can reach 33 not out in his next innings - his 20th, which is the minimum to appear on all time lists - he will pass Bradman again. Should he be dismissed, he would need 133 to stay in front.
Had the numbers meant more to Voges, who even his most loyal supporters would not rate within cooee of Bradman, could easily have batted for red ink and kept his average above 100. Instead, he sacrificed his wicket in the selfless pursuit of quick runs.
"That doesn't sit all that comfortably with me to be honest," Voges said of being in the spotlight on Sunday night.
"I'm probably happy that I'm out now and it's gone back under. I can just get on with playing cricket, I guess.
"The boys had a bit of fun taking the mickey out of me in the change rooms but it's all good.
"It was never going to stay there, it won't stay there, I know that. So it was always going to happen at some stage."
Voges, who believes he is in career-best form, smashed Sachin Tendulkar's 12-year record for most runs between dismissals. Whoever takes the title off him will need to better his 614 runs.
He is the 14th Australian batsman to score two Test double centuries, joining a list that contains some of the most illustrious names in Australian cricket such as Bradman, Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting and Neil Harvey. And his knock was the third highest by an Australian in New Zealand, behind Doug Walters and Chappell
"I still sit down at times and just reflect on what's happened and it's been amazing really," Voges said.
Voges, who did not receive his baggy green until he was 35, says the long wait he endured to play Test cricket has given him the hunger for his massive tallies. He has also benefited from entering the Test arena as a wily veteran with a thorough understanding of not only his game but how the opposition are trying to get him out.
"You try and combat that as best you can and you play within your areas. I know where I'm strong and I know where I'm not as strong and just try and keep it basic like that," Voges said.
"It comes with a lot of hard work as well. And understanding your game. It comes with confidence as well. Being able to trust your ability, trust your defence and then being able to attack when the opportunity presents."
His opportunity should have been gone on the first night when he was bowled on seven by Doug Bracewell only for umpire Richard Illingworth to incorrectly call a no-ball. It cost the Kiwis 232 runs. They currently trail by 201.
"I approached the day that I was going to go pretty hard, you don't get second chances too often so I'm gonna try and take the game on a little bit here," Voges said.
"As it turned out, New Zealand bowled really well and I couldn't do it."
He batted them out of the game instead.
