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Martyn ton steers Warriors home

Source: smh.com.au - October 23, 2005

Damien Martyn marked his return to domestic one-day cricket with a stylish century to lead Western Australia to a five-wicket ING Cup triumph over Victoria at the WACA Ground in Perth.

Chasing 223 for victory, Martyn smashed 110 off 131 deliveries as the Warriors reached the required target off 47.1 overs.

The discarded Test No.4 hit eight boundaries in his impressive knock that followed a disappointing effort in last week's four-wicket Pura Cup loss to the Bushrangers.

Martyn made scores of 15 and one last week in his first match for WA since being dropped from the Test side and was keen to make amends.

"We didn't have a great week against the Vics," he said.

"So it was a great effort to restrict them to 220 and then to get the runs was a great win for the guys.

"After missing out in the shield game I wanted to start the summer well and make some runs, so today was fantastic for that."

After winning the toss and choosing to bat on a superb batting track, Victoria was disappointed to be dismissed for just 223 inside 48 overs.

Jon Moss, man of the match in last week's Pura Cup match, continued his love affair with the WACA, top-scoring with 70 from 85 balls to extend his strong start to the summer.

Brad Williams was the pick of the WA bowlers, taking 3-36 from 9.3 overs, while Peter Worthington (3-45), Michael Clark (2-53) and Darren Wates (1-27) all played a part.

Requiring just under 4.5 runs per over for victory, Western Australia's run chase started terribly.

Adam Gilchrist, who like Martyn was playing his first ING Cup match since December 2003, lasted just three deliveries before he fell to Gerard Denton (3-54).

He was caught at slip by David Hussey for one, much to the chagrin of a disappointing crowd of 5,921.

Gilchrist had spoken before the match about keeping expectations in check on his return to state cricket and his words proved prophetic.

He at least surpassed the first-ball duck he managed in his last state one-dayer, also against Victoria in 2003.

The Warriors slumped to 3-27 before Mike Hussey joined Martyn at the crease and the Australian one-day stars put on a 76-run stand to turn the tide for the Warriors.

Hussey was eventually dismissed for 35 after being adjudged caught behind down the leg side by `keeper Adam Crosthwaite off Allan Wise.

The WA vice-captain clearly didn't like the decision, briefly holding his ground before heading back to the pavilion.

Martyn and Adam Voges (48no) then guided the Warriors home.

"We were probably at least 50 runs short of a pass score on that pitch," Victorian coach Greg Shipperd said.

"It was way too difficult to defend that even when we got three early wickets.

"One good partnership was going to put us under pressure."