Martyn happy to bide his time
Damien Martyn, an Australian hero in their 13th successive Test win in Adelaide, was philosophical on Wednesday about his near-certain omission in the clash against West Indies in Melbourne.
Martyn, who made crucial scores of 46 not out and 34 not out as Australia beat the Windies by five wickets in the third Test, must drop out of the all-conquering side if regular captain Steve Waugh is ruled fit to play in the fourth Test from December 26.
Martyn was given his chance after Waugh was sidelined with a buttock strain in the second Test in Perth just over two weeks ago.
"At a time when Australian cricket is so strong, I just have to accept that I must wait to get a regular place in the team," Martyn said.
"The truth of the matter is that the Adelaide Test was a bonus for me. I know I'm the next cab off the rank as a batsman when a chance comes up. That's simply my role at the moment.
"I have to make sure I remain number one replacement by scoring lots and lots of runs in the Sheffield Shield competition."
Martin, 29, was a boy-wonder who was good enough to score two centuries in separate games on the same day in his teens.
He made his Test debut at 21 and played in seven matches with moderate success before being axed six years ago after making an indiscreet shot in Australia's five-run loss to South Africa in Sydney.
He has admitted often that his banishment from elite ranks was hurtful and confusing.
It coincided with major problems in his personal life and was compounded by the loss of the Western Australian captaincy which had been handed to him years before he was ready for the job.
Martyn served a fearfully long penance, not being recalled to Australian Test ranks until last year when he went to New Zealand -- as a replacement for the injured Ricky Ponting -- for the three-Test tour.
Martyn seized the opportunity, hammering 241 runs at an average of 60.25.
Even that effort was not enough to keep him in the Test side once Ponting had recovered, and he was forced to be a spectator again during the first two Tests against the West Indies this southern summer.
He is sustained, however, by the sure knowledge that time is on his side. He has always had the class; now there is also the maturity to match it. And patience.
"I've come a long way and had a lot of ups and downs," he said. "While it was hard at the time to be out of the Australian team, I can see now that it was good for me and gave me a kick in the bum that got me back to where I am now.
"I'm happy with my cricket and everything in my life at the moment, so hopefully there are good things ahead."
They may not be far away. After all, he is averaging 80.25 in Tests since that New Zealand recall nine months ago.
Mail Cricket Editor
