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One-dayers can save Martyn's Test career, says Ponting

Malcolm Conn

RICKY PONTING believes that the short Super Series one-day tournament could be the ideal opportunity for Damien Martyn to reignite his Test career.

Dumped from the Test side to meet the rest of the world starting in Sydney on October 14, Martyn has been retained in the limited overs squad to play Super Series matches at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on October 5, 7 and 9.

"All he can do is be the best player he can in the one-day game and who knows, that might even have some sort of impact on what happens with the future Test selections for him," Ponting said at Telstra Dome yesterday.

"He's a very motivated player and I'm sure you'll see him play some very good cricket when he gets the chance."

Ponting denied that Martyn's surprise axing following a poor Ashes tour would deflate him for the coming one-day series.

"Damien worked extremely hard to restore his international career after starting at an early age then falling by the wayside for a few years," Australia skipper Ponting said.

"I don't think he's going to let that fall out of his hands now. He's still got one-day cricket."

Ponting believes Martyn, who turns 34 next month, and axed fast bowler Jason Gillespie, 30, have the time and ability to revive their Test careers.

"It all lays ahead of them," he said. "Both those guys are champion players and one thing I've learnt in this game is you don't write champion players off."

Martyn averaged fewer than 20 during the five Tests in England but had averaged 40 or better in his previous nine series.

Simon Katich, 30, is favored to open the batting in place of dropped one-day opener Matthew Hayden, given the fine record Katich has at the top of the order playing one-day cricket for NSW.

However, Martyn is also a chance given the success he has had opening in one-dayers for Australia.

In seven matches at the top of the order, Martyn averages better than 103, with two unbeaten centuries and a half-century.

Ponting agreed that the Super Series, including the six-day Test at the SCG, was a chance for Australia to regain credibility as the best in the world following its 2-1 Ashes defeat.

"Let's not forget we're the No.1-ranked side for a reason," he said.

"Our performances over a long period of time have ensured we're No.1 and we still are No.1.

"That's where it's exciting. It's a chance to get out there in what's going to be a really tough, hard series of cricket just to show everybody how good a team we are.

"There's no other way to show it other than putting performances on the board."

Ponting said he and the other players had "copped a bit" after becoming the first Australian side to lose an Ashes series in almost a decade.

"It's not anything any of the players have taken personally," he said. "We realise we've underperformed as individuals. The team didn't play the way we all wanted to.

"It was a tough series, England played very well and was probably better prepared for the series than we were. It was an extremely close, hard-fought series and a 2-1 result was probably fitting."

Ponting again reinforced his belief Australia needed more specialist coaches. "At different times in the Ashes series we felt we needed another set of hands on deck," he said. "That's the way the game's going anyway."

Ponting also continued to strongly back coach John Buchanan, who is under mounting pressure. Buchanan's contract expires next month but Ponting is confident he will be reappointed.

"I don't think he's in too much trouble," he said. "He's been tremendous in what he's done for the Australian cricket team and sometimes undervalued. He's made a big contribution to Australian cricket."

World XI coach John Wright agreed that while his side would be star-studded, it would need to gel as a team.

"It's one of the key factors for us, that we do come together," said Wright, the former India coach and New Zealand opener. "The boys will be here to enjoy themselves and you get enjoyment from working for each other and playing for each other.

"The players have got to appreciate that they're playing for the world team and that means playing for the team.

"On paper they look good but it's all about performance.

"If you look at players like that, the one thing that does stand out is that they get to that level because they have a fair amount of personal pride. That's what I'd like to see."

Wright recalled the impact Gary Sobers had with a brilliant double century during the previous World XI tour of Australia 34 years ago.

"The innings of Sobers is still talked about," he said. "We've got players who I think are capable of reaching that level and really the success of the series hinges on that."