Should NZ persevere with Chris Martin?

[Zinzan]

I know he's probably been NZ's top test pace bowler in the last couple of years, but IMO seems to have lost 5-6 kms in the last couple of months & doesn't seem to be penetrative at all these days, not to mention that fact he's a liability with the bat & in the field.

Suppose it depends on who you'd replace him with, maybe once McKay's fit again well see it.

[Athlai]

Yeah he's getting close to his last legs I'd say. Will probably be gone for good within the year.

[morgieb]

Past it and should be dropped. Only reason why he's still picked is that the other options are injured or even worse.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Would be gone already if there were any decent alternatives. Would have had Franklin in ahead of him myself; at least he would have scored a few runs (or hung around for a while) and his bowling couldn't be any less penetrative.

[vic_orthdox]

As much as I'm loving the addition of the headband (looks exactly like a guy I play against now), have to say that I think his time is gone.

[DingDong]

is there anybody better??

[Halfpast_Yellow]

No one better

I note Sinclair bowled more Maidens today...

[Bahnz]

I've always been a big fan of Chris Martin, and even I'm ready to acknowledge that his efforts in this series have been poor.

At the same time:

a) Who else is there? McKay's FC stats look distinctly mediocre, Franklin is no longer a bowler, Tuffey is the least penetrative bowler in the world, none of the younger bowlers have stats that even come close to demanding selection, and the rest of the lot are all medium-pace, injury-prone journeymen.

b) His batting doesn't matter. While it's aggravating to watch him get out for a duck, when has it ever really contributed to a loss?

c) His record against Australia has always been poor, and its fair to say he's bowled without much luck this series.

So yeah, I wouldn't drop him on the basis of this series, but if he continues to churn out rubbish results on the winter tours I'd say his time has come.

[Howsie]

I've always been a big fan of Chris Martin, and even I'm ready to acknowledge that his efforts in this series have been poor.

At the same time:

a) Who else is there? McKay's FC stats look distinctly mediocre, Franklin is no longer a bowler, Tuffey is the least penetrative bowler in the world, none of the younger bowlers have stats that even come close to demanding selection, and the rest of the lot are all medium-pace, injury-prone journeymen.

b) His batting doesn't matter. While it's aggravating to watch him get out for a duck, when has it ever really contributed to a loss?

c) His record against Australia has always been poor, and its fair to say he's bowled without much luck this series.
So yeah, I wouldn't drop him on the basis of this series, but if he continues to churn out rubbish results on the winter tours I'd say his time has come.

Nah, I think it's fair to say he hasn't had a chance to pick up a few tailend wickets like he usually does. He's been rubish this whole series, nothing to do with luck. If anyone's been unlucky it's been Brent Arnel.

But yes toss him away, he's finished.

[Smudge]

Martin is due for the scrap heap - the problem is we have no strike bowlers at present. And I fear that there is next to nothing coming through. Yep, Mills back when he's healthy (although once the ball stops moving, he's very hittable in tests) but we really need someone classy climbing through the ranks very quickly.

[S.P. Fleming]

tipping a retirement announcement on wednesday evening.

[_Ed_]

I watched the third session in a bar with no sound, but the way Sky kept popping Martin's career stats up on the screen gave me a feeling they thought his days were numbered.

[NZTailender]

Wagner qualified yet?

[Smudge]

Nah, still about 18 months to go, I believe. His FC record hasn't been flash this season anyway, has it? Genuine question, BTW - haven't been following that closely.

[DIRK-NANNES]

Yeh nah, he's a year behind the others. Probably will be round Nov next year.

The Hamish Bennett bandwagon is taking passengers for its imminent roll-out