 | ||||||
|
||||||
Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/damienm/public_html/articles/main.php on line 59 Warning: include(http://www.damienmartyn.net/navbar.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/damienm/public_html/articles/main.php on line 59 Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://www.damienmartyn.net/navbar.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/damienm/public_html/articles/main.php on line 59 Martyn at his best away from home soilSource: Herald Sun - March 20, 2005FROM the sapping heat of the sub-continent to the chilly winds of Wellington, Damien Martyn is becoming Australian cricket's most valuable tourist. The West Australian batsman shone again yesterday when the world champions needed a strong hand, scoring an unbeaten 106 against New Zealand on the second day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve. He joined Adam Gilchrist (45 not out from 46 balls) in pounding 90 runs from the last hour as Australia reached 5-337 in its first innings after being sent in to bat. Martyn has scored more runs than any Test batsman in the past 12 months since re-establishing himself as a middle-order rock during the tour of Sri Lanka. The right-hander has 1511 runs from his past 16 matches, including five centuries from his past 15 knocks away from Australia. He is not sure why he has become so potent on foreign soil, but admits the Sri Lankan experience inflated his confidence after waiting two years between centuries. "That was a long tour because I was breaking back in and making centuries was really hard," Martyn said. "The tours away really got me rolling with making centuries and it's rolled on from there. "I enjoyed the summer because I went in without as much outside pressure and I could bat with freedom. "But it can easily change." It will not change for a while if Martyn continues the patient, watchful approach that helped him survive challenging conditions yesterday. He was delighted to reach his first century against New Zealand after a 12-year wait. Martyn played his first Test against the Black Caps in Auckland in March 1993 when Australia lost by five wickets to a team that included Martin Crowe, Mark Greatbatch and John Wright. He began a Test cricket exile 12 months later before edging back into the Australian team in New Zealand five years ago. "Every (century) is special. It was my first against New Zealand and it was satisfying," Martyn said. "It's a country I haven't made a century against, so it's nice to tick the box. "They have always been hard work to play against. "They bowl well to good plans and we knew coming here we would have to bat well." - MICHAEL CRUTCHER | ||||||
