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 to Wed

Source: The Sunday Times - January 8, 2006

International cricketer Damien Martyn sprung a New Year surprise on family and friends when he announced his engagement.

Martyn will marry Perth girl Annika McNamara later this year. The happy couple met through mutual friends at Christmas last summer.

A date for the big day is yet to be set, but many of the world's top cricketers will be on the guest list including Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer and Mike Hussey.

Another of Martyn's best mates, world champion spinner, Shane Warne, is an unlikely starter because of county cricket commitments in England during the northern summer.

McNamara spent time in England with Martyn during last year's five-Test Ashes series.

Martyn was unfairly made a scapegoat for Australia's failed Ashes campaign when he managed just 178 runs from five Tests at an average of 19.78. Less than 12 months ago, prior to the Ashes debacle, he was lauded as the nation's 2004 Test Player of the Year.

Plans to marry confirm renewed stability in his personal life. He has also settled into leadership responsibilities with a developing WA team. He will revive his international limited-overs career next week when he rejoins Australia's one-day side for a triangular series against South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Martyn missed last month's three-match one-day series against New Zealand with a broken finger he suffered playing a one-day match for WA.

He remains in Australia's limited-overs side and is a potential starter for next year's World Cup in the West Indies.

Martyn is planning a glittering, five-star ceremony at the plush new Bunkers Bay Resort near Dunsborough. His manager, Colin Young, spent much of last week in the South-West making plans for the big day.

- KIM HAGDORN