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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 finally speaks outSource: FOX Sports - October 23, 2005DAMIEN Martyn has finally voiced his frustrations at being dropped from the Australia Test team, also taking a swipe at the media for its "unfair" treatment of Australian players. Martyn was viewed largely as the team's scapegoat after being dropped from the Test side following the 2-1 Ashes series loss to England. He averaged only 19.77 during the five-Test series, but he was coming off a sensational 2004, when he made six centuries and averaged 56.37, resulting in him being named Test cricketer of the year at the Allan Border Medal presentation in January. His woes in England were also accentuated by some dubious lbw decisions, with captain Ricky Ponting admitting during the recent Super Series that new third umpire technology may have saved Martyn's career. Martyn, who turned 34 on Friday, has returned to state cricket and made a superb 110 in Western Australia's five-wicket ING Cup win over Victoria today. Asked if he was doing anything different with his batting since being dropped, Martyn replied curtly that nothing had changed since the Ashes series finished in September. "It's the same as England," he said. "No different. "Better bowlers in England. "When I got 1200 runs in a season, people asked what was different but I was batting exactly the same way. "It's just cricket. "I had a run out and two bad decisions in the Ashes, so anything could've happened. "Guys don't bat any differently. The game's not easy." Following the selectors' decision to drop him, Martyn said he had nothing left to prove and doubted he would ever be recalled. He repeated that stance today, but added he was still available if the selectors changed their minds. "I'm just batting, the selectors know what I can do," he said. "I'm here to get picked if they want to. "They know what I can do, so to me now my focus is on Western Australia cricket." Martyn also vented frustration over the treatment dished out to his fellow players. Asked if he felt Simon Katich's shaky grip on a spot in the Test batting line-up could help him regain a place in the side, Martyn instead unleashed a tirade over the media's treatment of apparently under-fire players. "I feel sorry for (Katich), I've been there," he said. "I feel sorry for what the media do to those players. "It's unfair in a way. It's a tough job what they do. "They've been fantastic for four or five years doing what they do, so you should give them a break and let them play cricket." - JAMES DAMPNEY | ||||||
