Cricket: Martin's wise head running on young legs

Chris Martin says it is possible to be a much better bowler at the end of your career, without having the body of someone of 25 or 26. `The two don't often marry up.' Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

New Zealand's new ball duties in Dunedin next week will almost certainly be handled by a couple of 34-year-olds out to show advancing years don't go hand in hand with a dwindling of ability.

Indeed Chris Martin and Shane Bond, on his return to test cricket after two years, want to prove their bowling smarts are as good, if not better, than ever in the first test against Pakistan.

Assuming both are confirmed on Tuesday morning, Bond's return should spice up the New Zealand attack, while Martin, who turns 35 on December 10, feels he has a few points to prove to those who wonder why he's still striding up to the crease when there are more relaxing ways to pass the time.

"Unfortunately when you get to a certain age and you're still playing, people ask when you're going to stop, which is a little bit offensive at times," Martin said.

"You keep playing while you're good enough. If people are constantly asking if you're out of time you start to think maybe that's how they are perceiving you. But a lot of players get to this stage and are still doing a good job."

Martin has taken 165 test wickets in 50 matches. Only three New Zealand players - Sir Richard Hadlee (431), current captain Dan Vettori (302) and Chris Cairns (218) - have more. There is an obvious lure there for Martin.

"I suppose it hasn't always been a goal but the closer you get the more satisfying it would be.

"If you're a New Zealand quick bowler and you get 200 test wickets I think you've done pretty well. It's not the be-all and end-all but it's a pretty good way to benchmark yourself."

Martin is an interesting character, not a tunnel-visioned cricket head by any stretch.

He has been doing a history paper at Canterbury University on the Cold War this year, trying to complete a bachelor of arts in politics and history and "just making sure I didn't waste my money on a student loan".

It's been a case of chipping away at the degree between cricket assignments, discovering along the way that "if you haven't used your brain in a particular way for a while it takes time to kick it into action".

There has been a new bathroom to be fitted into a new house and the recent arrival of he and wife Jane's first child, Ruby, to keep him busy.

Martin and Bond have only played nine tests together, but Martin hopes the pair can demonstrate there is more to fast bowling than speed, that knowledge and nous can be just as effective.

"You do get better at controlling the delivery you want to bowl," Martin said. "And you learn as you go through your career that you might be bowling fast but you're going round the park.

"The better you get at your control the more subtle your variations become and you tend to be a much better bowler at the end of your career, without having the body you have at 25 or 26. The two don't often marry up."

Martin rates the first test of the home season the most "nerve-tingling".

"You have to get in the right frame of mind, then go about being the best bowler on the park. Because tests are so few and far between for New Zealand each one holds more importance. To have six this year is quite a good feeling."

Thirty-five wickets in six tests - assuming he stays fit and successful. It might be a stretch, but the pursuit of the goal will be interesting.

Last season, Martin received strong support from Vettori, when the national selectors didn't want him for the home tests against the West Indies. Recalled for the subsequent three matches against India at Vettori's insistence, Martin responded with 14 wickets.

"One of the most motivating things you can have is to find yourself in the position of being dropped and know the captain wants you there if you're fit and healthy and bowling well.

"It was important I backed Dan up."

This season Martin believes he is fitter and healthier for the start of the home campaign than last year.

Time may be catching up, but Martin knows you're a long time retired. He's determined to show there's still life in those long, loping strides.

NEW-BALL MEN

Chris Martin: Age 34, tests 50, wickets 165 at 33.78
Shane Bond: Age 34, tests 17, wickets 79 at 22.39