'Satisfying to get runs in tough conditions' - Martyn
Damien martyn and Murali Kartik meet the media at the end of Day 1 of the Nagpur Test
Anand Vasu in Nagpur
20-Jul-2005
Damien Martyn notched up his second century in as many Tests in an astonishing day that saw Australia score 362 for 7. Murali Kartik was by far the best Indian bowler on show, taking 3 for 57. They spoke to the media at the of the day:
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Damien Martyn
On his innings
Good to make a century, happy about it. I think we got good partnerships. We lost too many wickets by the end of the day but if we can make 450-plus we'll be happy to take it.
Good to make a century, happy about it. I think we got good partnerships. We lost too many wickets by the end of the day but if we can make 450-plus we'll be happy to take it.
On the pitch
It's still going to nip around, that's the hope for our quicks, who should get a lot of assistance from it as the game goes by.
It's still going to nip around, that's the hope for our quicks, who should get a lot of assistance from it as the game goes by.
On how this century compared with the last one
The two were very different centuries. The last one came when we had our backs to the wall. Today, we were just looking to be positive, play our shots and get a good score on the board in the first innings.
The two were very different centuries. The last one came when we had our backs to the wall. Today, we were just looking to be positive, play our shots and get a good score on the board in the first innings.
On playing well on the subcontinent
It's just that we have been playing a lot of cricket here in the last 12 months. It's satisfying to get these runs in tough, spinning conditions against world-class bowlers. As a batsman you have to do well against the best and I am happy that I did.
It's just that we have been playing a lot of cricket here in the last 12 months. It's satisfying to get these runs in tough, spinning conditions against world-class bowlers. As a batsman you have to do well against the best and I am happy that I did.
On Kartik's bowling
I thought he bowled really well. He realised early on that there was not much spin on the wicket and varied his flight and pace beautifully. It was tough to score off him and there were patches when we struggled against him.
I thought he bowled really well. He realised early on that there was not much spin on the wicket and varied his flight and pace beautifully. It was tough to score off him and there were patches when we struggled against him.
On stepping up a gear after reaching 100
We always play positive cricket and with myself and Clarke in, we were looking to score well. But I had been playing my shots early on as well and not just after the 100. It's disappointing that I got out and [that] a couple of other wickets fell before close of play.
We always play positive cricket and with myself and Clarke in, we were looking to score well. But I had been playing my shots early on as well and not just after the 100. It's disappointing that I got out and [that] a couple of other wickets fell before close of play.
Murali Kartik
On playing Test cricket after a gap of nine months
The last tour was Pakistan, but the best thing is to play for your country. Every time you play for your country you try to give it your best shot. It's not every day that you do brilliantly well, but as long as you gave it your best when you take a shower at the end of the day, it feels good.
The last tour was Pakistan, but the best thing is to play for your country. Every time you play for your country you try to give it your best shot. It's not every day that you do brilliantly well, but as long as you gave it your best when you take a shower at the end of the day, it feels good.
On when he knew he was going to play
I only got to know this morning that I was playing for sure. But I was kept on standby since Harbhajan [Singh] was not feeling well.
I only got to know this morning that I was playing for sure. But I was kept on standby since Harbhajan [Singh] was not feeling well.
On whether it has been painful to be out of the Indian team
I wouldn't say it has been painful. But the way my career has shaped up, I've always been in the shadow of Anil [Kumble] and Harbhajan. Those two have done exceptionally well for the country and I'll have to bide my time.
I wouldn't say it has been painful. But the way my career has shaped up, I've always been in the shadow of Anil [Kumble] and Harbhajan. Those two have done exceptionally well for the country and I'll have to bide my time.
On the suggestion that he is a much-improved bowler since Sydney
I wouldn't put it that way. People are probably saying that because in the first innings in Sydney they took me on.
I wouldn't put it that way. People are probably saying that because in the first innings in Sydney they took me on.
On which wicket was the best of the day
Lehmann's wicket came at a time when we weren't getting breakthroughs. But Gilchrist's wicket was also important - we all know how dangerous he can be. Gilchrist and Clarke took the game away from us in Bangalore.
Lehmann's wicket came at a time when we weren't getting breakthroughs. But Gilchrist's wicket was also important - we all know how dangerous he can be. Gilchrist and Clarke took the game away from us in Bangalore.
On the pitch
The pitch is on the slower side. It did seam for the fast bowlers in the morning and there's a bit of bounce, but it is on the slower side.
The pitch is on the slower side. It did seam for the fast bowlers in the morning and there's a bit of bounce, but it is on the slower side.
On his blond highlights
I like the salt-and-pepper look. By the time my hair naturally turns grey I may not have any left.
I like the salt-and-pepper look. By the time my hair naturally turns grey I may not have any left.