Myths about Martyn

Fare thee well, Damien Martyn. Let me suggest that contrary to the official line, Damien Martyn’s sacrificial gesture was not entirely voluntary. Who retires, completely of their own free will, in the middle of an Ashes series, less than one week from their home Test match? The one day team and the Test team are separate, are they not? Martyn was Australia’s best batsman in the recent ICC trophy and there is a World Cup just three months away. Sorry folks, but we don’t know the whole story.

In my last article, at the end of the Second Test, I suggested that Martyn was done for. Some have suggest that Martyn was no more rash than Hayden and Langer. Not true. Martyn’s shot was rasher than rash. The big difference was that when Hayden and Langer got out, Australia were trying to get on top and had plenty of wickets left. When Marto got out, the back of it was broken, there was work to do but the run rate was at a level where such risks were not necessary. We needed to consolidate and not allow a collapse to start. Martyn already had four from the first ball of the over (and what a spectacular shot) – more than we needed and even a single would have been a bonus. He approached it like a madman. I believe that he knew that was his last innings and either he was trying to make a point, or was trying to go out in a blaze of glory.

And where was Martyn in the post match hysteria? As grown men ran around hugging, kissing and even crying, barely a glimpse of Martyn was to be had.

Here are some cold hard facts about Martyn’s career. I have attached his average chart for your enjoyment. We all know about that shot at the SCG against South Africa. After being recalled on the tour of NZ to replace someone who was injured (can’t remember who it was) he scored 89 not out and had a large partnership with Gilchrist as Australia recovered from 5-29. In that respect he played an important part in achieving the winning streak. A successful Ashes tour followed in 2001. Martyn scored two centuries, including his first Test century, and two fifties. Having been temporarily curbed by Stephen Fleming, simply by employing three gullies, Martyn had a big summer that included three centuries in four matches against South Africa. Martyn’s average peaked in Feb 2002. He had made just over 1500 runs at 57.26. That is impressive.

It was more than two years until his next century. Martyn was seen to struggle against spin and while he had been consistent over those two years, there were plenty of calls for his demise. After all, five Tests against India and five Tests against Sri Lanka loomed in 2004. More importantly, seven of those matches were on the sub-continent. To his credit, Martyn rose above all expectations and was all conquering. In those seven matches, he scored four centuries (two each against India and Sri Lanka) and a 97. He had a string against India of 104, 114 and 97, narrowly missing out on twin tons in Australia’s historic series clinching victory in Nagpur. In 2004, Martyn scored 1353 runs at 56.38 with six centuries and two scores on 97.

Aside from a match winning 165 against NZ in March 2005, there has been little to celebrate for Martyn since then. In Martyn’s last ten matches he has scored 392 runs at 24.50. The first match of that sequence of 10 was the 2nd Ashes Test last year. That’s pretty ordinary. Someone else can do better. And for Adam Voges of Perth, opportunity knocks! Voges has 1414 runs at 44.18 from 23 first class matches. While he is a good all rounder in List A OD matches, he has taken just 11 first class wickets at 48.72. This year, Voges has started well. He leads the Pura Cup averages, having been dismissed just twice in making 320 runs, including two centuries. Apparently Symonds is also turning up at Perth, but I can’t see that as any more than the selectors refusing to abandon their irrational obsession with all rounders. Symonds has had 10 Tests and averages 19 with the bat and 45 with the ball. Now, if he could just reverse those stats….

England just concluded a two day match with WA. Perhaps it has created some selection headaches – James Anderson performed miles ahead of Mahmood, who was even further ahead of Harmison, who went for 4.71 an over. A couple of things are clear: Panesar should play, as he bowled tidily enough. On the other hand, Giles bowled just 8 overs that went for over 4 runs per over. Read must be a good chance to regain his spot. He scored 59 not out, compared to Jones’ duck! Vaughan is nowhere – he did not bat, even though five wickets fell, following a 188 run opening stand.

It is a miracle

It is a miracle. The irony is, that is the headline I had chosen in the dying stages of that famous Edgbaston Test in 2005. Of course, on that occasion, it wasn’t use as the miracle didn’t occur. Australia has won the unwinable. England has lost the unlosable. Sure, a precedent was set in Adelaide just three years ago. Australia scored 556 with Ponting making 242, and lost. There was one big difference – this match was almost a day behind when the third innings started. At the beginning of this day, only the most optimistic would have hoped for a result. I will go on record to say that my good friend, andrewg, England supporter, before tea yesterday, predicted almost exactly the end result, simply because he verbalised his worst nightmare.

Before this match, much was made of the comparison with 2005. Australia won the first match easily. Would McGrath miss the second Test again? Once under way, England batted, prospered and slaughtered the Australian attack even more savagely than at Edgbaston. You can read all about how the wheels fell of for the English in the papers and on the internet. Watch it on the TV. But here are a few, random thoughts:

In the office sweep stakes, I guessed that England would declare half an hour before tea (thinking, with a lead of about 250). England’s main sin in this match, aside from their selections, was scoring just 74 runs from 52 overs today. The match should have been safe after three hours today.

Strauss got a bad decision but I think the needless run out of Bell was more of a trigger.

Warne and McGrath will have enjoyed today very, very much. Warne’s sensational bowling of Pietersen was sensational, vintage Warnie.

It was 6 January 1994 when Damien Martyn holed out to Fanie de Villiers, with Australia losing by five runs. As he trudged off that day, he could not have known that he would not play another Test for more than six years. As he trudged off today he must know that forever is a lot longer than six years. At least the end result was different – what a way to go out!

Spare a thought for those at home in the Old Art. Many an Englishman rising at 7:00 a.m., idling turning on the box to see how the Test had fizzled out will have gagged on his muffins and jam. Australia were baring down hard with Ponting and Hussey making it look all too easy.

I left work early to get home to see the end. On the train, I listened to the good old ABC and watched the coverage on my phone (all for just $5 per month). I ran to the car and nearly ran down three fellow commuters in the rush to get home. The house was empty but for one, 13 year old fan. The second largest ecstasy came as the 13 year old saw the first 7 of her lifetime. That’s right – for those of you who don’t know, just about the final nail was four over throws after an easily completed three.

Adelaide curator, Les Burdett may have had his bacon saved on day 5 but surely some of the participants in this match will not be seen in Perth. Here are some candidates for England: James Anderson: 2 wickets at 151.50; Steve Harmison: 1 wicket at 288.00; Ashley Giles: 3 wickets at 87.33. I feel that England will persist with Harmison (do they have much choice?) but Giles and Anderson must go. Giles has been pretty much gifted his three wickets and while I won’t single him out today, it is ironic that he made a duck, when he has been selected for his superior batting. It only goes to highlight that the batsmen need to make the runs.

Those maestros, Ponting and Mr Cricket are carrying Australia to a degree. In the series so far, Hayden and Martyn are averaging 22 and 15 respectively. Hayden most likely will get another Test – it’s hard to see two changes to a winning side – but Hayden does have someone competing for his spot, who is deserving of a chance. Martyn, must go. Whether it be for Watson (obviously not my preferred choice) or one of a plethora of worthy middle order candidates, the time is right to start the overhaul. The writing is on the wall – Hussey was promoted to number four today and Martyn’s brief innings smacked of someone desperate to make a big point.

The Australian post match celebration were something else. There may even been a tear or two. I think it highlighted two things: 1. They were as surprised as anyone to pull this one off and 2. They are very, very intent on winning back the Ashes. Well, The Urn really is here at the moment. Perhaps it should stay.

To conclude a crazy day, let it be known that Shoaib and Asif have had their drug bans overturned. Crazy.