Martin - 'My best years are just ahead of me'
After nearly two years out of the New Zealand Test side, Chris Martin marked his return with a bang, grabbing 11 wickets in a Man of the Match-winning performance against South Africa at Auckland in March this year
21-Apr-2004
After nearly two years out of the New Zealand Test side, Chris Martin marked his return with a bang, grabbing 11 wickets in a Man of the Match-winning performance against South Africa at Auckland in March this year. With NZ's squad preparing for their tour of England, he took time out to speak to Freddie Auld:
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Were you surprised you did so well in your comeback Test?
It was a surreal five days. I wasn't sure how it would go, but that's what Test cricket is all about. The ball was swinging, and to get those wickets was amazing. I wasn't expecting it. I was a bit nervous in my first spell, but not as bad as I was on my debut. I had been out of the side for a while, and I wanted to make sure I got another opportunity after this. When I got my first wicket it reminded me of why I was there in the first place, and that settled me down.
It was a surreal five days. I wasn't sure how it would go, but that's what Test cricket is all about. The ball was swinging, and to get those wickets was amazing. I wasn't expecting it. I was a bit nervous in my first spell, but not as bad as I was on my debut. I had been out of the side for a while, and I wanted to make sure I got another opportunity after this. When I got my first wicket it reminded me of why I was there in the first place, and that settled me down.
Did you feel you came back a much better bowler?
When I first played for New Zealand, I wasn't really physically ready. Lots of adrenalin got me through, and although I played well at times, I wasn't consistent enough to hold down a regular place. While I was away, I worked hard and started to bowl with more pace. My ball areas were more consistent, and I had the benefit of more body strength. I played well against the likes of Stephen Fleming and Mark Richardson in the domestic games, and reminded them that I wasn't a bad bowler. Then getting my recall made that two years of hard work worthwhile.
When I first played for New Zealand, I wasn't really physically ready. Lots of adrenalin got me through, and although I played well at times, I wasn't consistent enough to hold down a regular place. While I was away, I worked hard and started to bowl with more pace. My ball areas were more consistent, and I had the benefit of more body strength. I played well against the likes of Stephen Fleming and Mark Richardson in the domestic games, and reminded them that I wasn't a bad bowler. Then getting my recall made that two years of hard work worthwhile.
Why do you think you were dropped?
I was only playing one Test a series and that wasn't enough to make me feel a permanent member of the side. My confidence was limited and I started to struggle. Then a couple of bowlers started to come through. Shane Bond showed himself to be the fastest bowler we've had for a while. Daryl Tuffey has developed into a world-class bowler, and there's also Ian Butler. But I feel I fit in to the team now. My pace is up a yard or two and I hope the selectors don't waste my best years, which I feel are just ahead of me.
I was only playing one Test a series and that wasn't enough to make me feel a permanent member of the side. My confidence was limited and I started to struggle. Then a couple of bowlers started to come through. Shane Bond showed himself to be the fastest bowler we've had for a while. Daryl Tuffey has developed into a world-class bowler, and there's also Ian Butler. But I feel I fit in to the team now. My pace is up a yard or two and I hope the selectors don't waste my best years, which I feel are just ahead of me.
What's been the secret behind all your recent wickets?
There's no real secret. I've had two years of differing luck, and worked hard to get my game to a certain level. I was striving for a recall and now I'm going to make the most of it.
There's no real secret. I've had two years of differing luck, and worked hard to get my game to a certain level. I was striving for a recall and now I'm going to make the most of it.
There was quite a lot of needle on the pitch during the South Africa series, did both teams get on well off the pitch?
There's not much time for socialising with the opposition these days, but we spent an hour in their changing-room after the final Test. Seeing as it ended 1-1, we decided to have a running race to decide the series with the slowest player from each side. We had Mark Richardson and they had Neil McKenzie, and McKenzie gave him a pasting.
There's not much time for socialising with the opposition these days, but we spent an hour in their changing-room after the final Test. Seeing as it ended 1-1, we decided to have a running race to decide the series with the slowest player from each side. We had Mark Richardson and they had Neil McKenzie, and McKenzie gave him a pasting.
You made your Test debut at 26, which is quite late these days. Do you feel you should have been picked earlier?
Not really. I was 23 when I made my debut for Canterbury - you could say I was a late developer. When I started out, I was still living a student lifestyle, and not 100% focussed on cricket. But then I realised the thought of becoming a pro appealed to me, it was a way of avoiding the real world. Then when I made my debut, it felt right and I changed my lifestyle to be more professional.
Not really. I was 23 when I made my debut for Canterbury - you could say I was a late developer. When I started out, I was still living a student lifestyle, and not 100% focussed on cricket. But then I realised the thought of becoming a pro appealed to me, it was a way of avoiding the real world. Then when I made my debut, it felt right and I changed my lifestyle to be more professional.
Who have been the main influences on your career so far?
My father was a great motivator during my early days. He never doubted my ability while, at times, I did. On the technical side of things, Garfield Charles, who played first-class cricket for Guyana, gave me a lot of guidance, as did Dayle Hadlee, who now runs the New Zealand academy.
My father was a great motivator during my early days. He never doubted my ability while, at times, I did. On the technical side of things, Garfield Charles, who played first-class cricket for Guyana, gave me a lot of guidance, as did Dayle Hadlee, who now runs the New Zealand academy.
Is there anyone in particular you admire?
I've always considered Glenn McGrath to be the best. He is a role model, a true professional with a good work ethic. There's also Wasim Akram, who is a freakish talent, and Malcolm Marshall, who was great to watch.
I've always considered Glenn McGrath to be the best. He is a role model, a true professional with a good work ethic. There's also Wasim Akram, who is a freakish talent, and Malcolm Marshall, who was great to watch.
Most of your Tests have been in New Zealand - do you have much experience of bowling in other countries?
I toured England in 2000 with the New Zealand A side and we played against a few counties. I've also played in the Central Lancashire league, so I've got a bit of experience of bowling in England.
I toured England in 2000 with the New Zealand A side and we played against a few counties. I've also played in the Central Lancashire league, so I've got a bit of experience of bowling in England.
Your batting hasn't been a huge success - seven ducks in 14 innings - are you working hard to improve it?
Well, let's just say I hope to end up with more runs than wickets in my career! I guess my average could be better, but it's not as if I've been getting out to mugs. I'm never going to be a big runscorer, but hopefully I can stick around.
Well, let's just say I hope to end up with more runs than wickets in my career! I guess my average could be better, but it's not as if I've been getting out to mugs. I'm never going to be a big runscorer, but hopefully I can stick around.
Would you like to be involved more in the one-dayers, or do you see yourself as mainly a Test bowler?
The one-dayers would be good, and becoming a fulltime member of the Test team would help to push my case. My limited-overs record in domestic cricket is better than my four-day record, but you tend to get more wickets in the one-day games.
The one-dayers would be good, and becoming a fulltime member of the Test team would help to push my case. My limited-overs record in domestic cricket is better than my four-day record, but you tend to get more wickets in the one-day games.
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Is New Zealand cricket in a good state?
Absolutely. We have a good mix in the team, and most of us have seven or eight years of Test cricket to play together. We have world-class players in Stephen Fleming and Chris Cairns, and also in Jacob Oram, who is being groomed as Cairns's replacement. There are also some fresh faces, like Brendon McCullum, to add some spunk to the side. And with Bond and Astle coming back, the squad looks a strong one.
Absolutely. We have a good mix in the team, and most of us have seven or eight years of Test cricket to play together. We have world-class players in Stephen Fleming and Chris Cairns, and also in Jacob Oram, who is being groomed as Cairns's replacement. There are also some fresh faces, like Brendon McCullum, to add some spunk to the side. And with Bond and Astle coming back, the squad looks a strong one.
Is the England tour one of the biggest for a New Zealander?
Yeah, it's the home of cricket. The first Test is at Lord's, and it will be great to play there. I remember watching Martin Crowe scoring a hundred at Lord's when I was younger. It was a real spectacle, and if I can get the chance to perform in front of the crowds there, it will give me great satisfaction.
Yeah, it's the home of cricket. The first Test is at Lord's, and it will be great to play there. I remember watching Martin Crowe scoring a hundred at Lord's when I was younger. It was a real spectacle, and if I can get the chance to perform in front of the crowds there, it will give me great satisfaction.
How do you see the series going?
It's going to be competitive. The series in 1999 will be in the back of their minds, and they'll be wanting revenge. The pitches are likely to do a little, so I'm looking forward to it.
It's going to be competitive. The series in 1999 will be in the back of their minds, and they'll be wanting revenge. The pitches are likely to do a little, so I'm looking forward to it.
How do you rate the current England side?
They're not too bad. They did a very professional demolition job in the West Indies. Their bowlers look a good unit, and I've bowled against their top five once before in a Test, but without much success, so we know they're going to be a tough proposition.
They're not too bad. They did a very professional demolition job in the West Indies. Their bowlers look a good unit, and I've bowled against their top five once before in a Test, but without much success, so we know they're going to be a tough proposition.
Would you consider playing county cricket?
That's one of my goals. It would be a great experience, but you have to be in the top ten in the world to be seriously considered - and that's another of my ambitions.
That's one of my goals. It would be a great experience, but you have to be in the top ten in the world to be seriously considered - and that's another of my ambitions.