Chris Martin joins Canterbury coaching staff

Chris Martin, the former New Zealand fast bowler, will take up a coaching position with Canterbury for the first half of the domestic season.

Gary Stead, the director of cricket at Canterbury, was pleased to have Martin back where he had begun his first-class career 16 years ago. "To have such a respected recent player as Chris with up to date knowledge of the International game working with our elite cricketers in Canterbury is exciting," Stead said, " Even though we realise this is only a short-term appointment, Chris' presence and ability to share what professionalism and preparation to succeed at the top level means will be of great value to our players".

Martin, who had retired from all forms of cricket in July, will work closely with the A and Under-19 sides in addition to the first XI of the Canterbury. His tenure begins mid-September.

Martin played 71 Tests for New Zealand picking up 233 wickets which stand him third among the country's highest wicket-takers. He has 10 five-wicket hauls, four of them against South Africa.