Damien Martyn had a torrid introduction to cricket in 1993 but he returned in 2000 and he became one of the best middle order players for Australia in their period of dominance.
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When one looks at the history of Australian cricket, all the great players have emerged out of centers like Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart. These cities have produced the talent pool that has sustained the dominance of Australian cricket for many decades. Outside of these centers, very few cricketers have managed to make an impact. The Northern Territory regions of Cairns and Darwin are classic examples.
These territories are so remote that Tests, ODIs, and T20Is are not played. In 2004 and in some instances until 2008/09, ODIs and Tests were played in Cairns and Darwin. But apart from a few matches, these centers have never managed to nurture talent. In the mid-90s, one player did come from the Northern Territories as he looked to make an impact. Damien Martyn, who spent his childhood in Darwin, was included in the team in 1992 for the series against the West Indies.
Martyn had a solid time against the fearsome West Indies bowlers. The right-hander hit a fifty in Melbourne. In his next subsequent tour, he smashed 74 in Auckland against New Zealand as he looked to consolidate. However, things reached rock bottom for Martyn in 1994. In the match against South Africa in Sydney, Martyn started the first innings brilliantly with 59. Chasing 116, Australia looked certain to win. But, an inspired South Africa pace bowling attack ran through the top order. Martyn was caught between attack and defense. He ground out six runs for 59 runs as he failed to get Australia over the line. Australia lost the match by five runs and Martyn was left out of the Australian team for six years.
For six years, Martyn was obscure from the Australian cricket scene. At that time, he was plying his trade with Western Australia. Slowly but surely, Martyn was making a comeback with domestic performances. In a top-order that had power and brilliance in the form of Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, the Australian team needed a stabilizing factor. Martyn fit that role perfectly.
His comeback was not smooth as he hit 78 and 89 against New Zealand on the green, seaming wickets. But, when he hit 105 against England in his first Ashes Test in Birmingham, Martyn had truly arrived in Australian cricket. In the years that followed, Martyn was known for his sublime timing and batting. What made him stand out was his ability to adapt in any condition. In green, seaming wickets or on spinning dustbowls, there was no better player than Martyn. This skill would be exhibited in Australia’s miraculous 2004 season.
The first miracle act was in Sri Lanka. His knocks of 110 and 161 in Galle and Kandy, against Muttiah Muralitharan at his peak, were one of the best played by an Australian in a long time. He repeated the feat in India, scoring 104 and 114 in Chennai and Nagpur. In fact, it was his knock of 114 and 97 in Nagpur that ensured Australia had ended their 35-year pain in India.
The year 2004 was simply sensational for Martyn. He averaged 56 with six centuries. Prior to his miracle in 2004, Martyn had erased one painful chapter in his life in 2002. Eight years ago, in Sydney, he had not helped Australia win the Test against South Africa. In 2002, it was payback. Martyn hit a century and helped Australia beat South Africa by a big margin.
One of the most understated aspects of Martyn was his knock in the final of the 2003 ICC World Cup final against India. With Ricky Ponting blasting the Indian bowlers to all parts, it was Martyn who hit 88 and gave Ponting vital support. The knock was played despite a broken thumb which showed his grit. In fact, even his ODI contributions are not hailed as they should be.
From 2001 to 2003, Martyn averaged over 50. In the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy in India, it was Martyn’s courageous knocks on tough pitches that saw Australia lift the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time. His Test record was outstanding but his ODI contributions were simply wonderful.
In fact, if one has to look at Martyn’s average in spin and seam conditions, it is commendable. He averaged 55 and 52 in India and Sri Lanka, who at that time had spin bowling wizards in Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Muttiah Muralitharan. In England and South Africa, he averaged in excess of 40 which displayed his adaptability.
However, in the final years, Martyn struggled. After struggles in the back-to-back Ashes series, Martyn suddenly decided to retire from international cricket in 2006 after the end of the Adelaide Test. After his retirement, he played in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) for the Ahmedabad Rockets. He did get amnesty and played for the Rajasthan Royals even in the IPL.
However, Martyn quit all forms of cricket and for some time, was on commentary duties. But, for over a decade now, Martyn has gone back into the shadows. But, to show the guts and hunger after being axed from the team for six years is a testament to his grit. It is this grit that helped Australia establish its dominance.
