Birthday special: Damien Martyn – Top 3 performances in international cricket
Damien Martyn throughout his playing career evaded the limelight as the shy cricketer believed in doing the talking with the bat and bat only. The graceful strokemaker often looked out of place in an Australian batting line-up that believed in bludgeoning the opposing bowlers. Martyn was a prolific run-scorer in red-ball cricket but was often shoved to the shadows because of the world beaters at display around him. On Damien Martyn’s 51st birthday, we list some of the most notable innings of the 2003 World Cup winner.
142 against Pakistan, 2004
Melbourne hosted the second Test between Pakistan and Australia in 2004. The visitors won the toss and decided to bat first on a reasonably flat deck at the MCG. Salman Butt provided a fast start to the Asian giants before Mohammad Yousuf compiled a glittering century to take Pakistan’s tally to 341 runs. Australia, in reply, was in trouble earlier in the innings after the loss of two quick wickets. But Martyn came to the rescue of the home side with a typically defiant 142 against a fiery Pakistani bowling line-up. Martyn’s innings provided the impetus to the side as Australia went on to register a comfortable nine-wicket victory.
144* against Zimbabwe, 2001
Australia invited a spirited Zimbabwe to Perth for the 12th match of the Carlton Series in 2001. The hosts, led by Steve Waugh, opted to bat first after winning the toss. Although several Aussie batters got starts, none of them managed to capitalize on it apart from the dependable Martyn. The make-shift opener went on to register his career-best innings of 144 runs, batting throughout the 50 overs to take Australia to a challenging total of 302 runs. The visitors came agonizingly close to chasing the target but eventually fell short by just one run.
165 against New Zealand, 2005
Australia traveled to Wellington for the second Test match of the three-match series against rivals New Zealand in 2005. The visitors, who won the series opener comprehensively, were invited to bat first by the Kiwis. After a solid start by Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden, New Zealand fought back by scalping four quick wickets. That is when Damien Martyn dropped anchor, keeping the Kiwi bowlers at bay. Martyn amassed 165 runs to take Australia to safe waters. Unfortunately for the graceful batter, the match is known for Adam Gilchrist’s carnage from the other end. The southpaw hammered the Kiwi bowlers, registering 162 runs in just 146 deliveries.
