Records Martin can't duck
By JONATHAN MILLMOW in Adelaide - Fairfax Media | Tuesday, 02 December 2008BATTING BUNNY: Black Cap Chris Martin is bowled for a duck as Australia wrap up their win in the second test in Adelaide. The duck gave Martin a world record six pairs in test cricket and a NZ record for the most ducks.
Batting bunny Chris Martin claimed two records without hitting the ball yesterday.
His pair in Adelaide - bowled both times - gave him a world record six pairs in test cricket and also a New Zealand record of the most ducks (25), one more than Danny Morrison.
The world record for ducks is 43 by Courtney Walsh.
Martin is embarrassed at his batsmanship but takes umbrage at suggestions he lacks ticker.
He puts his lack of skill down to not picking the ball up till it is virtually under his nose or cannoning into the woodwork.
"I'm not proud of it," he said before the test. "I know that the guy who's got the ball in his hand is probably only giving himself six balls to get me.
"It's something I need to work on, and something that's getting a little bit embarrassing at the moment."
The question is, is Martin any less talented with the bat than Ewen Chatfield, who managed to hold up an end on several occasions and featured in a match-winning final-wicket stand of 50 with Jeremy Coney against Pakistan in Dunedin in 1985?
Martin said he worked hard on his batting, though since Craig McMillan left the team, he no longer had a mentor.
However, he still bats in the nets at New Zealand practice sessions, including a 15-20 minute session against local net bowlers before the start of the second test in Adelaide.
"I used to work with Craig McMillan and his attitude was for me to play a few more shots, which hasn't quite worked out for me.
"I'm not particularly good at it, so I suppose anything you're not too good at you don't enjoy as much."
Martin's record makes poor reading. He has reached double figures once in 64 test innings when he scored an unbeaten 12 against Bangladesh in Dunedin last summer.
His longest stay at the crease is 37 minutes, against England at Lord's in 2004.
His average is 2.17 and he has almost double the amount of test wickets (148) as test runs (76).
• McIntosh gets Black Caps callup
• Windies watchful in pursuit of big Auck total
• Off-spinner Krejza fails fitness test
• Short shrift for Black Cap's manager
• Sinclair leads from the front for CD
• Brick bats and bouquets for departing Bracewell
• Windies coach begins mind games
• Cricket star enters rehab
• Cumming ton repairs early damage for Otago
• Australia deserve No.1 spot - Ponting
• All-rounders ready to enter test arena again
• Sri Lanka bring back Jayasuriya
• Gillespie puts Firebirds on top
• Franklin states case for recall