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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 never leftSource: Sportal - January 10, 2006A less stressful period having been out of the Test team has been the basis of Damien Martyn's good form over the summer, but Martyn has bristled at the suggestion that his Man of the Match performance in Australia's Twenty20 win over South Africa was a 'comeback'. "It has been less stressful - it has been very good," admitted Martyn, following Australia's comfortable 95-run victory in front of a near 39,000 crowd at the Gabba. "I spent Christmas at home for the first five years so there is always a positive to come from the negative of not being part of the Test side and that is how I have looked at it." "It wasn't a comeback because I have not been dropped from the one day side, but people keep talking about it," he said. Martyn missed the Chappell- Hadlee Trophy series in New Zealand towards the end of 2005 due to a finger injury, but enjoyed coming back to play with his Australian team-mates. "It is enjoyable to be back with the guys as I have been out of it playing state cricket and watching, but tonight was a fun game - not too serious to make it enjoyable for the crowds and that is what it is all about," he said. Martyn added that it was up to the 'fresh' replacements to generate some new life into the team after the recent tense and physically draining Test series. "For the guys who have not played test cricket this year it is our job to put a bit of life and energy in the side," he said. The 34-year-old's only focus now is the triangular one-day series against the Proteas and Sri Lanka, but the question was again raised about his future hopes in regaining a Test berth. "I just hope to have a good VB series and that is my goal at the moment, not looking too far ahead - just be part of the side and hope we do well," Martyn explained. "You never give up on it (Test selection) - I am not going to sit here and say 'no I never want to play again' but you have to be realistic and a lot of things have to happen. "I just have to go back to state cricket and make runs and enjoy it - but if I have played my last Test Match (during the Ashes) then so be it - I have no regrets." Martyn's rapid fire of innings of 96 off only 56 balls including five sixes brought praise from his captain, who thought the West Australian would be ideally suited opening in the shortened format. "We just felt Damien has got the shots to take on the new ball attacks," Ricky Ponting said afterwards as he sat alongside Martyn. "It was mainly to get him out there and involved again and he played beautifully so it was great." - ANDREW BROWNE | ||||||
