Christopher Stewart Martin, widely known as Chris Martin, was a hardworking and dedicated cricketer from New Zealand. Born on December 10, 1974, in New Plymouth, Martin became an integral part of the New Zealand pace attack during the first decade of the 2000s.
Standing tall and angular, Martin was a fast-medium bowler who relied on accuracy and gentle seam movement rather than sheer pace or extravagant swing. His approach to the crease involved a high leap, which added an element of unpredictability to his deliveries. While he may not have possessed the flashy skills of his counterparts, Martin’s consistency made him a valuable asset to the team.
Ideally suited to be a second lead in the bowling attack, Martin often found himself in the role of the primary fast bowler due to the frequent injuries suffered by Shane Bond. However, Martin proved to be up to the task, exhibiting his skills and taking 11 wickets against South Africa in Auckland in March 2004. This exceptional performance reaffirmed his ability to contribute to the team’s victories with his bowling prowess.
Throughout his career, Martin became one of New Zealand’s most successful Test bowlers, finishing as the country’s fourth-highest wicket-taker of all time by the end of the decade. His consistency and accuracy were instrumental in troubling batsmen and maintaining pressure on opposing teams. Although he may not have possessed the ability to tear through batting line-ups, Martin compensated with his ability to bowl long spells, reminiscent of the legendary Ewen Chatfield.
While Martin’s bowling skills were unquestionable, he became equally famous for his ineptitude with the bat. In fact, his batting performances were almost comically feeble. He holds the dubious record for the most Test ducks by a New Zealand player and it took him until his 36th Test match to score a double-figure score, which came against Bangladesh.
Unfortunately, Martin’s batting limitations deprived him of opportunities to play more one-day and Twenty20 cricket. Nevertheless, his contributions to the New Zealand Test team will always be remembered, despite his lack of success with the bat.
As New Zealand began to unearth a new crop of fast bowlers, Martin decided to retire from all forms of cricket in July 2013. At 38 years old, he bid farewell to the sport that had defined a significant portion of his life. His retirement marked the end of an era, but his contributions to New Zealand cricket will be remembered for years to come.
Chris Martin’s determination, work ethic, and unwavering commitment made him a respected figure in the cricketing world. His unique bowling style and ability to trouble batsmen made him a valuable asset to the New Zealand team. While his batting may have been a source of amusement, it is his bowling achievements that will forever be etched in the annals of New Zealand cricket.
