Martin returns home to Canterbury

Chris Martin has announced he will return to Canterbury for the 2009-10 season after spending the past four summers at Auckland. Martin said the move was so he and his wife, who is expecting their first child, could be closer to their family in Christchurch.

"I've played some of my best cricket in Auckland, so it's been a really enjoyable experience," Martin told NZPA. "I'll definitely leave with a whole bunch of new friends that I'll keep in touch with."

Martin started his first-class career with Canterbury more than a decade ago but switched to Auckland ahead of the 2005-06 season. He will share the new ball with Shane Bond but there are few other familiar faces remaining at Canterbury from his previous time there.

"Canterbury are a very young side - I think there are only two players that I've played with before," he said. "But I'm looking forward to working with [coach] Bob Carter and I'm keen to contribute what I can as a senior player with the younger guys in the squad."

The Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade said he respected Martin's wish to put his family first. "It is always hard to lose a player of his experience and ability," Eade said, "but the opportunity is now there for some of our younger players to step up and establish themselves."