On this day: Birth of the underrated Australian – Damien Martyn

Damien Richard Martyn is a commentator and former Australian cricketer who played for the Australian national team during 1992-2006. He represented Australia in both formats where he played sporadically for two years (1992-94) but became a regular ODI player in 1999. He got his regular position in the longest format of the game in 2001. Despite his notable performance and achievements, he was the underrated batsman thanks to Australia’s star-studded line-up.

The technique

A right-handed batsman, Martyn was known for his ‘classical’ technique where he could master the art of stroke-making square of the wicket on the off-side and also through the covers. He was an occasional bowler with a medium pace and could display his magic on the field for his expertise in affecting splendid run-outs. He was honoured as the Man of the Series in 2004 in the Border Gavaskar Trophy where he helped his side to defeat India.

Thanks to his heroics, Australia defeated India in the subcontinent for the first time in more than 30 years. It was because of the spectacular display that he was named as Australian Test Player of the Year and honoured with the Allan Border Medal in 2005. Martyn was roped in the Test side to make his debut against the Caribbean side in 1992 only as he replaced Dean Jones. However, his performances were not up to the mark as he mustered just 168 runs in total at an average of 28.16 in the series.

He was also a member of the ODI side, but a less regular one as his performances were less convincing at the international level. For the same reason, he was dropped from the Test side. He was given a chance again in the 1993-94 season when Steve Waugh was down with a hamstring injury. Martyn played in the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests at MCG and SCG. He again came up with a dismal performance in the series. However, he started gaining some limelight when he was picked in the 2001 Ashes tour.

Martyn’s career sparked in the 2001 Ashes

Martyn replaced Justin Langer and smashed his maiden Test century at Edgbaston. He was named as the Wisden Cricketer of the year due to his performance in the Ashes 2001, and subsequently became an integral part of the middle-order for Australia. He was honoured with the McGilvray Medal in 2005 and in the same year, was labelled as ABC’s Test Cricketer of the Year. In the 2006 Champions Trophy, he added another feather to his cap.

He was adjudged Man of the Match two times in a row against India and England. Martyn played crucial knocks in the final of the tournament against West Indies and pushed his side to lift the trophy for the first time. He remained the highest run-getter in the tournament for the Kangaroos. In December 2006, he announced his retirement in a shocking turn of events from all formats at the domestic and international levels.

Martyn played 67 Test matches and scored 4406 runs while he amassed 5306 runs in 208 ODIs. He also has over 14,000 runs to his name in first-class cricket. Martyn hit 13 Test and five ODI tons during his illustrious international career.

On the occasion of his 50th birthday, we wish him a very happy birthday.