Born in Accrington in 1968, Peter 'Digger' Martin made his first-class debut for Lancashire in 1989. After several years as an effective opening bowler in domestic cricket, he was called up to England's one-day squad to play West Indies in 1995-96, and immediately made a big impression, taking 4 for 44 on his debut at The Oval, including the wicket of Brian Lara, clean bowled. He made his Test debut the same summer, against West Indies. He toured South Africa later that year, taking 4 for 60 in the third Test at Durban. Martin played in all of England's games in the 1996 World Cup , but despite bowling well, he didn't pick up many wickets. He played his last one-dayer in England colours against South Africa in the ICC knock-out competition in 1998. Always a more effective one-day bowler, he played only eight Tests, his last against Australia in 1997. He remained an effective bowler in domestic cricket, with a first-class average of 27, until he retired in 2004 after a persistent knee injury forced his retirement. Painting and wines are his main relaxations.
Liam Brickhill October 2004