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Martyn, giving the finger to pain

Source: The Age - February 24, 2006

Damien Martyn's right index finger should come with an M-rating. A horrible sight. Disfigured. Limited in movement. Suitable for viewing only by mature audiences.

We say this not to frighten younger readers, but more as a reminder of the innings in South Africa that left the West Australian veteran digitally impaired.

Yesterday, as Martyn tried to flex the finger at the scene of the carnage, thoughts immediately turned back to the 2003 World Cup final.

Martyn wasn't expected to play in the match. His finger, broken during the Super Six phase of the tournament, was thought to be too damaged for the rigours of a one-day international, let alone a World Cup final against an Indian pace attack that included Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan on a bouncy Wanderers wicket.

But much to the surprise of the Johannesburg crowd — and Australian team management — Martyn ruled himself fit to play, then defied the jarring pain to record a defiant, unbeaten 88 and combine for a matchwinning 234-run third-wicket stand with Ricky Ponting (140 not out).

The innings, which forced him out of cricket for several months, already commands a lofty perch in Australian cricketing folklore.

But yesterday, making his first visit to the Wanderers since the World Cup final, Martyn added a new chapter. For the first time, he revealed that Australia's team physiotherapist, Errol Alcott, told him just before play that he was making a potentially career-ending decision.

"We weren't sure how bad the break was; we really didn't want to know, probably," Martyn said. "Playing that game and batting that long … it wasn't ideal. But if I had to miss the West Indies tour to play that final, I would do it again.

"Errol spoke to me before the game and said it could affect my whole career and I mightn't play again if I hurt it badly. But we'd been over here and working so hard to get to that goal of winning (the World Cup), it was something I really wanted to do, to play a big part in that game. The only doubt was not letting the side down."

It was about this point of the conversation that Martyn displayed the permanent effect that innings has had on his finger. With less than half the flexibility of his left index finger, Martyn now has a lifelong memento of his World Cup final appearance.

More than any trophy, any accolade, the gnarled digit is testament to that courageous knock.

"The story gets bigger as the years go on," Martyn quipped. "It was one of those days that I'll never forget. Besides winning that game, leading up to it I had to fight through the mental and physical side of the finger. I was lucky enough to make some runs. If I hadn't, it might have been a bit different.

"It doesn't move like a normal finger now, but it doesn't hurt any more. They say that it will hurt the older I get with a bit of arthritis. It just doesn't bend like a normal finger."

Preparing for tonight's Twenty20 international at the Wanderers, the Australians are hopeful of beginning their latest visit to South Africa positively.

For Martyn, in particular, this tour is critical and he is aware he may be nearing his touring use-by date. "I think (the Wanderers) is special for a lot of the guys," he said. "The last time we were out in the middle we were celebrating and singing the team song."

- ALEX BROWN