Cricket: Martin returns to Canterbury

Black Caps bowler Chris Martin will return to Canterbury for the 2009-10 cricket season after a four-year stint with Auckland.

Martin and his wife are expecting their first child and are heading back to Christchurch to have family around them for the arrival.

He made his first-class debut for Canterbury in 1997-98, and played for the province through to 2004-05 before heading to Auckland.

"I've played some of my best cricket in Auckland, so it's been a really enjoyable experience," said Martin who helped Auckland win national four-day, one-day and Twenty20 titles.

"I'll definitely leave with a whole bunch of new friends that I'll keep in touch with."

Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade said Martin had been a very popular and successful member of the Auckland team in his time there.

"We'll be sorry to see him go, though obviously we understand and respect his decision to put family first.

"It is always hard to lose a player of his experience and ability, but...the opportunity is now there for some of our younger players to step up and establish themselves."

Martin, who will spearhead the Canterbury attack with Shane Bond, said he was looking forward to helping develop the team's young players.

"Canterbury are a very young side -- I think there are only two players that I've played with before.

"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."

Martin expected to be available for Canterbury in all forms of the game, subject to his selection for New Zealand.

- NZPA