Cricket: Martin wins unexpected national call-up

By RICHARD BOOCK

Canterbury seamer Chris Martin yesterday became the 25th cricketer to be selected for New Zealand in the past two months after being called in for the tour of South Africa.

The 25-year-old right-armer, who took five wickets at an average of 64.20 while touring England with New Zealand A last winter, replaces the injured Andrew Penn in the squad for the three-test series.

Penn suffered an injury during a club match for Stokes Valley on Saturday and withdrew from the touring party after failing a fitness test yesterday.

The 26 year-old Wellington paceman apparently strained his left side in his first over against Petone before leaving the park in considerable discomfort.

"I'd been feeling so good and never had any problems in that area before," he said. "It is so frustrating. Friday was such a great day and then this - I'm devastated."

Convener of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee expressed his dismay about the latest in a litany of injuries this season, but suggested Martin was a worthy substitute with potential to justify his selection.

"We're sorry that Andrew is unable to bowl for three or four weeks," he said. "But Chris is an ideal replacement who is keen to prove his worth. He proved on both the New Zealand A tour of the UK and the Academy tour of India that he bowls good lines and has the ability to find the edge of the bat.

"While he bowled well on both occasions, I felt he didn't get the figures he deserved.

"He's able to bowl long spells and keep the opposition batsmen on their toes."

The uncapped Martin made his debut for Canterbury in the 1997-98 summer, and since then has claimed 69 first-class wickets in 21 matches at an average of 29.92.

He became the ninth paceman to be selected for New Zealand this season after being preferred to the few remaining candidates, such as Central Districts' Lance Hamilton and Auckland's Tama Canning.

Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald had mixed feelings about Martin's promotion, but believed he could cope with the pressure given the right amount of support.

"I would have liked to see him have another season of first-class cricket, but he can handle it," MacDonald said.

"Psychologically he'll be fine. He's got the temperament but he needs someone to look after him. I can't speak highly enough of the lad.

"He's the most popular guy in our squad and that's quite amazing because he hardly says a word.

"He's a very laid-back character. Nothing appears to faze him.

"He's so laid back he's almost horizontal."

Martin wants to break into the test team and expects some favourable pitches being prepared for South African fast bowlers Shaun Pollock, Roger Telemachus and Allan Donald.

"That suits my style. I rely on bounce and taking the ball away off the seam," Martin said.

Martin, with specialist test players Mathew Sinclair, Mark Richardson, Hamish Marshall and Kerry Walmsley, will leave for the tour on Thursday, following in the tracks of New Zealand selector Ross Dykes, who departed on Saturday.

In an unusual move, NZC has reportedly asked Dykes to join the test series, something they say had been planned well in advance - not "rushed" as suggested in yesterday's Herald.