`It would have been nice to set them 250-plus'
Damien Martyn speaks to the media after his crucial century and partnership with Gillespie
Dileep Premachandran at Chennai
12-Jul-2005
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Damien Martyn played an innings of great composure and beauty to bring Australia back into the Chennai Test. At the end of the day's play, he spoke to the media - unable to hide the grin on his face - about his innings, the partnership with Jason Gillespie and the prospects on an Australian victory.
On the plan when he walked out to bat this morning
It was to get as much of a lead as possible. It was a bonus that Gillespie batted so long - three or four hours was fantastic. It would have been nice to set them 250-plus but history shows that it'll be tough to chase on the last day here, and hopefully that'll come true tomorrow for us.
It was to get as much of a lead as possible. It was a bonus that Gillespie batted so long - three or four hours was fantastic. It would have been nice to set them 250-plus but history shows that it'll be tough to chase on the last day here, and hopefully that'll come true tomorrow for us.
On whether the target of 229 is enough
I think so. We always want more. I think it's about 200 that they need now, and it'll be a great day of Test cricket tomorrow, which is what it's all about. We've had plans when it comes to our bowling and hopefully they'll come off tomorrow. We've got a great spin bowler in our ranks as well, and they're going to have to bat very well.
I think so. We always want more. I think it's about 200 that they need now, and it'll be a great day of Test cricket tomorrow, which is what it's all about. We've had plans when it comes to our bowling and hopefully they'll come off tomorrow. We've got a great spin bowler in our ranks as well, and they're going to have to bat very well.
On whether he rated this innings better than the two centuries in Sri Lanka last March, and on what changes he had made to his technique for the subcontinent
It's up there with my best hundreds in the sense that you had two world-class spinners bowling on the fourth day. It's always satisfying as a batsman to test your skills against the best. Not much has changed [technique-wise]. We've played a lot of one-day cricket in India and Sri Lanka and all the batsmen over the last four or five years have had a chance to play on these pitches. That's definitely helped us.
It's up there with my best hundreds in the sense that you had two world-class spinners bowling on the fourth day. It's always satisfying as a batsman to test your skills against the best. Not much has changed [technique-wise]. We've played a lot of one-day cricket in India and Sri Lanka and all the batsmen over the last four or five years have had a chance to play on these pitches. That's definitely helped us.
On whether the pitch was less conducive to bounce when compared to the opening day
Yeah, but it varied a lot out of the footmarks. The centre of the pitch was playing well, but the natural variation out of the footmarks is getting all the wickets. If we can get a couple of early wickets tomorrow and throw the ball to Shane Warne, hopefully he can do well.
Yeah, but it varied a lot out of the footmarks. The centre of the pitch was playing well, but the natural variation out of the footmarks is getting all the wickets. If we can get a couple of early wickets tomorrow and throw the ball to Shane Warne, hopefully he can do well.
On who out of Harbhajan and Kumble was more difficult to face
For the right-hander there were the left-arm bowlers' footmarks for him [Harbhajan]. He doesn't give you many scoring opportunities and you had to be patient out there.
For the right-hander there were the left-arm bowlers' footmarks for him [Harbhajan]. He doesn't give you many scoring opportunities and you had to be patient out there.
On whether Warne's world record had been a source of solace on a rough day yesterday
It's great that he broke the record but we were a long way behind on the first-innings score. I think it was a great fightback by us. We'd shown in Sri Lanka that we could come from behind, and we've done it again.
It's great that he broke the record but we were a long way behind on the first-innings score. I think it was a great fightback by us. We'd shown in Sri Lanka that we could come from behind, and we've done it again.
On whether reverse-swing will be a factor tomorrow
It always happens over here when the shine goes off the ball after four or five overs.
It always happens over here when the shine goes off the ball after four or five overs.
On the fielding lapses made by Australia earlier in the game
We had chances which were put down, but only a couple that you could say were easy. There were a lot of half-chances and we usually pride ourselves on taking those.
We had chances which were put down, but only a couple that you could say were easy. There were a lot of half-chances and we usually pride ourselves on taking those.
On whether his Sydney experience of 1993-94 has had any influence on his batting in crunch situations
I don't think Sydney has had an influence. I think it's more about getting to know your game and being around international cricket for a long time. Look at someone like Michael Clarke who's played one-day cricket for two years now, and been comfortable coming into Test cricket. The amount of cricket we play and the touring we do in different conditions helps you a lot.
I don't think Sydney has had an influence. I think it's more about getting to know your game and being around international cricket for a long time. Look at someone like Michael Clarke who's played one-day cricket for two years now, and been comfortable coming into Test cricket. The amount of cricket we play and the touring we do in different conditions helps you a lot.
On whether he and Gillespie both being dismissed in the same over prevented a bigger total being scored
It's disappointing, for sure. You have no trouble for almost four hours, and then ten minutes before tea, you lose two in four balls. But it's part of the game.
It's disappointing, for sure. You have no trouble for almost four hours, and then ten minutes before tea, you lose two in four balls. But it's part of the game.