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Laid-back Martyn just happy to play for Australia

Source The Star - February 23, 2006

Damien Martyn's languid stroke-play provides a mirror on a personality that is often mistaken for indifference.

On the surface he's cool, laid back, almost gentle. He lacks the forcefulness of Michael Hussey, the brutal strokeplay of Adam Gilchrist and the pugnaciousness of skipper Ricky Ponting. But, boy, can he play some shots - and look good when doing so.

Martyn comes to South Africa with his career at a crossroads. He's still a part of the one-day set up, although there is a school of thought back in Australia that thinks that shouldn't be the case.

Phil Jacques, who scored 94 in his only one-day international against South Africa in Melbourne during the VB Series, was widely backed to get a call up for this tour. Martyn, who played well without setting the world alight during the triangular series, seems fortunate to still be part of the touring party. His outlook on where his career stands right now is forthright and realistic.

"It's getting closer to the end for a few guys who are 33 or 34. A few guys missed out after the Ashes and that's just sport, in a sense, in that if you don't play well and you don't win you get dropped.

"But we've got tons of guys in Australia who can take over," Martyn explains.

The 34 year old was one of those who incurred the wrath of the Australian selectors following the defeat in the Ashes, though he was somewhat unfortunate as he was on the receiving end of a few dodgy decisions. However, he remains philosophical about his place in the Australian side.

"I knew I was still playing one-day cricket and for me I still take it that I'm playing for Australia. If I play Test cricket then that's fantastic, if I don't I'll just accept it."

Reviving a Test career that has seen him play 61 matches for Australia and score over 4000 runs at an average of 47,96 is not particularly high on his agenda - in fact he is not hopeful of getting a look-in again as far as the five-day game is concerned.

"There's always a chance. Maybe next summer if I start the summer off well."

And what about the World Cup in a year's time? "At this stage of my career, I've gotten over putting too much pressure on myself. The World Cup is still a long way away, although all the guys do talk about it and there's so much hype about it. I'll just take it series by series. So I could be there I could not be there, depending on form. I'd like to be there and to be a part of it again," he says.

First up, though, is tomorrow's Pro20 International at the Wanderers and it's a format befitting Martyn's sense of laid-back merriment.

"It's a bit of fun, it would be nice to win, but it's more for entertainment at the start of the tour and it's great fun for the crowds.

"The last couple of 20/20 games have been great fun," said Martyn, who scored a thrilling 96 when Australia played South Africa in a 20-over international in Brisbane last month.

He's hoping that a win will help to build momentum, not only for the one-day series but the rest of the tour.

"I'm not sure what will happen in this one-day series, but it is important for our guys to keep it going and hopefully that will lead into the Test series."

- STUART HESS