Cricket: Martin chases milestones

Chris Martin. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Chris Martin has a milestone looming in Hamilton this week, and no, not the one you'd first think of.

The leader of New Zealand's seam bowling attack sits on 190 test wickets, fourth on New Zealand's list behind Sir Richard Hadlee, his captain Dan Vettori and allrounder Chris Cairns.

So there is an obvious target for the long, lean new ball man.

But another number might quietly be lodged somewhere in the back of his mind, too.

In 59 tests, 85 innings, Martin, the archetypal No 11 batsman, has accumulated 97 runs.

When/if he gets to three figures during the first test at Hamilton, expect a roar and perhaps a brief acknowledgment of the achievement.

Ten wickets over these two Pakistani tests, however, will give him more of a warm feeling of satisfaction.

Not that Martin is addicted to figures, unlike those who use them as a motivational tool. Still, it'll be a nice round number to reach.

"It's not massive [as a target], but I think 200 is a nice number as far as New Zealanders go," Martin said.

"Not many have reached that point. A couple have gone well beyond it but if I do get there it means I've had a pretty decent career and I can check that one off. But it's not the end of the world."

Martin gave his season a big fillip in India in November.

His five for 63 in India's second innings of the first test at Ahmedabad did a couple of things: it gave New Zealand a roaring winning opportunity, which they weren't able to grasp thanks to Harbhajan Singh's maiden hundred and another important innings from the classy veteran VVS Laxman; and it served as a reminder that there remains life in those 36-year-old legs.

A brief recap: India, 487 in their first innings, had a 28-run lead when they began their second innings.

Within minutes they were reeling at 15 for five as Martin sliced the top off one of world cricket's finest batting order.

India started the final day 82 for six, ie 110 ahead overall. However Harbhajan and Laxman doused New Zealand's winning ambition.

Martin had his swing game in strong working order. His victims were Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. As an innings haul, that'll do nicely.

"I think I had to prove a lot to friends, family and people watching," Martin said.

"That was all part of that emotional afternoon in Ahmedabad. I enjoyed that immensely so I don't think the enjoyment of cricket has waned; it's just the need to perform like that - like everyone else - to keep everyone on your side."

When Martin trimmed the first three Pakistani wickets in the warm-up game at Whangarei last Monday, it had the effect of clearing the throat, letting the tourists know he was around.

Test trio Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar and Younis Khan were out and back in the pavilion in rapid succession.

But a psychological edge ahead of the first test? Martin doesn't necessarily buy into that.

"I've watched guys in our changing room and if they don't get what they want out of a warm-up game they go into that first test feeling a bit edgy.

"I know a couple of their guys haven't had time in the middle, haven't had a bat. That at least is to our advantage. I don't know if it gives me any edge with my bowling. but any time I get wickets it makes me feel good."

As for the R word - retirement - Martin wearies of it being asked.

"Listen to a lot of athletes who have been round the traps for a while and they talk about it as a year by year prospect. It's always hard to answer those questions, especially in the last five or so years it's been a little bit tiresome."

Year by year sounds good to him, and as long as the body holds together, the balances in life are right, the enjoyment remains and the wickets keep coming, why not carry on?