Any pressure on Damien Martyn?

[Jono]

Definitely Not! He's an irritating batsman (to the opposition) and that's what makes him so brilliant, he sneaks up on the board with the runs. I do however believe he should bat at number 5, but still, if Australia were to drop him they'd be very foolish.

 

[Bazza]

Martyn has a very good record in both forms but has to be under pressure simply for the reason that Australia will quite possibly lose this series, and even if they draw it the public will surely not be happy, so they will be calling for blood. The bowling is the problem but who can come in? Warne will probably return but Gillespie and Lee aren't going anywhere I doubt and without McGrath all Australia can do is try one or more younger players to see how they go. In fat it's Sri Lanka next so two spinners might be the order (although they have Katich and Clarke will probably be in the team anyway).

In the batting I think Martyn will keep his place because Waugh is already out for a youngster (Clarke) so to bring in another inexperienced player who could get totally bamboozled by Murali it could get messy. If this were a slightly different situation I think Martyn would be in serious trouble because his last test century was two years ago against South Africa. Then his average was 57, now it is 46. He has averaged just 32 in thos two years! That is poor by English standards, let alone the high Aussie standards who think 40 is the minimum rather than good.

 

[marc71178]

I see you've been caught up in the Clarke hype Bazza.

It wouldn't surprise me if he's not even in the squad (assuming Lehmann is fit)

 

[Bazza]

Maybe it's because he's coming to Hampshire!

I'll get a closer look then but until then all I have to go on is limited exposure and his limited limited overs record, which is pretty good! Maybe I have been caught up a bit by all the hype from certain Aussies and the media but I definitely hope to see plenty of him in the summer to make my mind up once and for all. His record so far suggests people might not be far off, if exaggerating a little.

 

[Jono]

I wonder if anyone watched the Cricket Show during the lunch break of Day 5 in Sydney, the one Ravi Shastri was on.

During the flash back they showed Damien Martyn's cover drive which was caught that pretty much cost Australia the test match against South Africa 10 years ago. He was out for 6 years in the test team. Now after something like that happening you'd think Martyn would be good enough to prevent being dropped again. He's not out right now so I guess it's how he performs today.

 

[Richard]

I'll be surprised if the team for The First Test in Sri Lanka is changed from this by anything other than injuries:
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Lehmann
Katich
Gilchrist
Warne
Bichel
Gillespie
McGrath
With the squad also containing Williams, Lee, MacGill, Love and someone else.
I will be very surprised if there's any pressure on Martyn unless he fails throughout the Sri Lanka series.
His average has been cut below 46 (Gilchrist's down to 55.59!) and if it continues to fall questions will be asked eventually. Especially with Love having made 100* in his last Test innings.

 

[Craig]

Australia maybe tempted to play two spinners.

 

[Richard]

Yes, it's certainly not OOTQ - I wouldn't be amazed to see Hogg in the squad with the two leggies.
But I'd still expect to see Bichel there ATM.

 

[anzac]

The only pressure Martyn's under is where the selectors are going to play him......do they leave him at No4 or are they looking for someone with Waugh's grit to hold the batting together at No6, as Martyn fits that bill IMO.......more so than the likes of any 'newbies' such as Katich / Love or even Lehman.....

MJ Clarke won't be in the Test squad just yet - he'll have to 'make do' with ODIs for a while longer yet - players with far better credentials than he have had to do the same b4 displacing less credentialed squad members in less successful teams than what he is trying to do..........

 

[V Reddy]

Doesn't Bevan have a chance of making it to the side. He is a very very good player of spin and will fill the void left by Waugh atleast in the two upcoming tours.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Doesn't Bevan have a chance of making it to the side. He is a very very good player of spin and will fill the void left by Waugh atleast in the two upcoming tours.

Not unless he starts bowling again. He could be a handful on the turning Sri Lankan pitches. But it seems highly unlikely.

 

[Salamuddin]

Martyn looks leaden footed against spin.
Karthik and Kumble tied him in knots by not giving him any width.

John Dyson and Murali would have noted that.

The pressure will certainly be on him in Sri Lanka.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Kumble maybe, but Kartik's figures in the 1st Innings were 19-1-122-0

 

[Salamuddin]

I'm talking about the 2nd innings mate.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I know, but he still doesn't look a particularly good bowler to me.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Wasn't really the point, though, was it? :P

Kartik excelled in the TVS Cup, and whilst he struggled at the SCG, Martyn's supposed struggle was what was being brought up.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I don't see why Martyn should be dropped because of 1 bad series, personally. India didn't drop Tendulkar after 1 bad year.

Imagine that, being outscored by Murali!

 

[Neil Pickup]

I don't see why Martyn should be dropped because of 1 bad series, personally. India didn't drop Tendulkar after 1 bad year.

Imagine that, being outscored by Murali!

It's the footwork not the scores that was the issue :P

 

[age_master]

It's the footwork not the scores that was the issue :P

yeah, and if he doesn't make runs in India or Sri Lanka his spot coule than be in serious trouble

 

[Craig]

I don't see why Martyn should be dropped because of 1 bad series, personally. India didn't drop Tendulkar after 1 bad year.

Imagine that, being outscored by Murali!

Despite not making a Test ton in 2 years?

Tendulkar is a great player and a consistant performer. Point not relevant.