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Damien Martyn Retires !!!

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
FaaipDeOiad said:
Martyn's knock in the Chennai test against India in 2004 is his best IMO, and one of the best innings from an Australian batsmen in recent years. Possibly second to Ponting's 150 at Old Trafford.

It was simply amazing I think. Australia had a fair first innings deficit and a 1-0 lead in the series, the pitch wasn't particularly easy to bat on and we collapsed a bit heading into stumps on the third day. Gillespie defended at one end for the two sessions or so the next day, and Martyn just played an absolute gem at the other. Had the perfect approach for the wicket and the oppositon, and without his effort Australia would have certainly lost the test, either that day or the next if it didn't rain. He had a real gift for playing on dustbowls that you wouldn't expect for a WA player, and had the best of Murali in Sri Lanka pretty comfortably as well.
I was privileged enough to watch that Chennai knock in person myself and I felt, even though he was spoiling our chances of win, it was one of the better knocks I have ever seen. Astonishingly good timer of the ball, more than anything else and makes things look ridiculously easy.
 

adharcric

International Coach
Very interesting move - might be a good one as well. Jacques should be brought in but that won't happen now.
 

Steulen

International Regular
One of my favourite players, not least because his surname is my first name :)

Brilliant strokeplayer, close to a flawed genius actually.

Good call to retire immediately in the middle of an Ashes series...a Collingwoodesque MBE awaits Voges or Symonds :whistling
 

pasag

RTDAS
Laurrz said:
why? i thought we would like to duscuss these knocks :)
If you're going to copy and paste anything that isn't your own you should be giving it credit or at least mentioning it isn't yours, especially an entire piece like that. How old are you btw? I'm asking because anyone from high school onwards knows these things.
 
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_Ed_

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Indeed, after 3 years of university it gets to the point where you wake up mid-sentence half way through reciting the plagiarism lecture.

Well, almost.
 

marc71178

Eyes not spreadsheets
Josh said:
Martyn should've retired after the last ashes series. Thank god he's gone lol.
And why exactly is it thank God?

In that Ashes series he had extreme bad luck.

For me, probably the most under-rated batsman of the last decade.
 

Alysum

U19 Debutant
I'm really sad today...he was the stroker I prefer to watch, such a classy player and the best cut/late-cut stroker I've seen.
He could really have retired after a home test ! But I admire his decision to open the door for young people. But retiring from domestic cricket too ? That's even more shocking...why is he doing that ? What is he going to do now ?

His success in India 2004 was his best I think. It's a real shame he was dropped for 7 years...

Ciao Marto !
 

Josh

International Regular
marc71178 said:
And why exactly is it thank God?

In that Ashes series he had extreme bad luck.

For me, probably the most under-rated batsman of the last decade.
Haven't been a fan of him since he started getting in these ruts, and then as soon as his spot is questioned he'd have 1 or 2 good innings and secure his spot for the next 12 months.

Also, I don't know why people find him so entertaining. I didn't. But, that's me.
 

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
I'll always remember him for his knock in Chennai. Definition of a match-saving pressure knock. Incredible.

Great batsmen to watch, those late cuts he'd play off the spinners were annoying yet awesome. You'd think he's just about to get his off stump uprooted and then he gets a dab on it to the boundary. Amazing talent, but it was obvious to one and all that his head wasn't in the game anymore.
 

GotSpin

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Jono said:
I'll always remember him for his knock in Chennai. Definition of a match-saving pressure knock. Incredible.

Great batsmen to watch, those late cuts he'd play off the spinners were annoying yet awesome. You'd think he's just about to get his off stump uprooted and then he gets a dab on it to the boundary. Amazing talent, but it was obvious to one and all that his head wasn't in the game anymore.
So true. Looked like he had had a brain explosion in his last innings in Adelaide.
 

Slow Love™

International Captain
Josh said:
Haven't been a fan of him since he started getting in these ruts, and then as soon as his spot is questioned he'd have 1 or 2 good innings and secure his spot for the next 12 months.
A bit harsh - I think he was a fair deal more consistent than that, even if he did have the odd slump. And an average of 46 tells the story of a very good player, even if you don't appreciate his flair with the bat.

The description you gave reminds me of Graeme Wood's test career though - he was nearly always on the edge of being dumped (and was, more than a few times) but often right when the axe was about to fall, he'd go and make a 50 or a hundred and then the whole routine would start anew. In between running out many of his partners, he struggled to average over 30 and played only eight less tests than Marto.
 

Linda

International Vice-Captain
To tell the truth, I was shattered today when the people at work broke the news, but I guess I wasnt that shocked. It seemed like it was coming, for mine.
I wouldve loved him to have played in Perth next week, theres nothing I love more than watching him bat at the w.a.c.a. But on the other hand, watching Voges potentially make his Test debut is almost as good. If Martyn had of played and then retired, Voges may never have gotten his chance.

He was basically why I fell in love with cricket I guess, as sad as that is.. I had to spend a whole summer indoors during the last ashes in Australia because of an operation, and he is so easy on the eye in full swing. I didnt have much option except to watch, but then found I was loving it. He just made everything look so easy and was so in control of his movements. I really loved the subdued nature and undramatic way he played. He looked so at home on a cricket pitch, like he couldve done it with his eyes closed.

Best moment, the Chennai hundred of course. Also when he took that catch when we won the series, I practically burst into tears. God, 2004 was just the best year of my life. Was about as hysterical as I get when he got that hundred against Pakistan. It was during a massive second innings score, and against a poor attack, but seeing it live was still just as sweet.
Worst was the sacking.. I was so angry for weeks, I would have stabbed Hohns and co in the respective eyes had I the chance. It was just completely unfair.

I guess I'll just have to move on with my life...
 
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marc71178

Eyes not spreadsheets
Josh said:
Haven't been a fan of him since he started getting in these ruts
What ruts?!!!

9 consecutive series averaging over 40 is hardly what could be termed a series of ruts.
 

howardj

International Coach
Alysum said:
He could really have retired after a home test ! But I admire his decision to open the door for young people. !
I don't think that was his reasoning, and he was far from assured of being given a home Test match. As written in the Courier Mail this morning, Martyn likely knew that he AND Symonds were selected in a 13 man squad and he then subsequently decided to retire. I reckon he waited until he'd seen the squad and then thought that he didn't want to go through a week of endless speculation that would likely end in him being dropped.

So, I just don't buy this whole fairytale "he retired on top" story and that he graciously stepped aside.

Anyway, he did have a fine career.

Congratulations to him.
 
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Ikki

Hall of Fame Member
I'm gonna miss Marto. He was a joy to watch, I mean I felt relaxed when he was at bat, and it was like watching some beautiful mountainous scenery at times. A lump fills the throat, he's gone and, as others have pointed out, this is just the start of the retirees to come. Now that gives me more than a lump in the throat... it swells the eyes.
 

Nishant

International 12th Man
just heard about it! Unbeliveable! Actually....it was probably coming...but not now!!!!

A legend of the game?
 

howardj

International Coach
Nishant said:
A legend of the game?
No.

If you start calling people like Martyn 'legends', it doesn't leave you much scope to describe the many better players who have played the game.
 

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