Cricket: Martin goes from zero to hero

By RICHARD BOOCK

Tributes flowed for fast bowler Chris Martin last night after the surprise package of the New Zealand team continued his dream recall in the second cricket test against South Africa.

Martin rebounded from two years in the wilderness to leave New Zealand poised to win their first test against South Africa at home and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The 29-year-old Cantabrian shocked the tourists with a six-wicket bag in the first innings and then took another four wickets yesterday to leave his side in a commanding position.

South Africa resume this morning 22 runs behind New Zealand's first innings total of 595 with four wickets intact, and facing an improbable task of saving the test.

Martin's bowling was the pivotal factor yesterday, although it was his antics with the bat that carried him to the top of one of world cricket's most undesirable statistics.

Bowled third ball without scoring, he became the first player in the history of the game to post scores of 0 or 0 not out in nine consecutive innings.

Martin, in his 12th test, last scored a run during the second test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth in 2000, and has only 12 career runs.

He put his world batting record behind him soon after, bowling South African skipper Graeme Smith with the first ball of the innings, then returning to claim three more scalps before the close.

South African batsman Jacques Rudolph, unbeaten on 121 at stumps, was impressed with Martin's never-say-die attitude with the ball.

"Even though he was fairly expensive at the beginning, he's one of those guys who keeps running in against you," said Rudolph. "He's a very good bowler."

Rudolph said Martin's angle and natural outswing made life difficult for left-handers.

New Zealand coach John Bracewell also paid tribute to his fast bowler, saying he had lived up to his reputation of bowling well at left-handers and had been well rewarded for his perseverance.