 |
|
|
|
|
|
Justin Langer's Postcards |
|
|
|
|
FRIDAY 10 March 2000
Marto thrilled with chance to wear the baggy green
It has been nearly two months since our last Test match together and
while the team looks a little different the feeling hasn't changed one
bit. When we last walked onto the Test arena we wore replica baggy
greens as a symbolic gesture from the first Test match of the last
century. Tomorrow at Eden Park here in Auckland it is back to our own
baggy green caps and back to the business of Test match cricket.
One of the players who will be wearing his baggy green cap with as much
pride as anyone will be my West Australian team-mate Damien Martyn, who
is back in the Test team after a long absence. His fight back is one
that should be applauded because he has been through every up and down
imaginable in the past few years. After a great deal of soul-searching
he has worked hard on all aspects of his game to be where he is today.
Not that long ago he was questioning whether he would ever play cricket
for Australia again and yet he is now established in the one-day team
and on the verge of playing a permanent role in the Test team. His
perseverance and determination will make his journey out into the middle
of Eden Park sweeter than many people could imagine. I will have a
tingle down the back of my spine when I see my partner since junior
cricket days walk out with me in the morning.
With every happy story comes a bad one and it was disappointing to hear
that Ricky's ankle may take longer to recover than everyone first
thought. After his operation yesterday it was revealed that his leg
might be in a worse state than we all hoped. Luckily for him, and us,
there is little cricket to be played over the next six months, so the
lay-off could be a blessing in disguise for one of our most decorated
young cricketers. Knowing Punter I would be surprised if he isn't at
every North Melbourne game during the winter lending support to his
beloved Kangaroos. Our thoughts are with Punter, and he will be missed
within the team, not only for his batting prowess but also for his
influence around the team.
From me it is that time of the night where it is time to get into bed
and start thinking about making Test match runs. Last time I played here
in Auckland I scored a pair so you can be sure there is plenty of extra
incentive for yours truly. With the chance to win our eighth straight
Test match, and Warney only five wickets away from DK's record, this
team will be firing come 10:30 tomorrow morning. The first session of
play can set up the whole series so we will have to be switched on from
ball one.
From Auckland and excited about playing test cricket again, JL
|
