Damien Martyn today announced his retirement from all cricket - just three days after celebrating Australia's second Ashes Test victory in Adelaide.

The Western Australia batsman, who was under pressure for his place after compiling only 45 runs in three innings during the Ashes series, was expected to be named in Australia's squad today for next week's third Test at the WACA.

But just as the selectors were due to announce their squad, Martyn informed Cricket Australia's chief executive James Sutherland of his intention to retire instead.

"I'm aware of the tremendous challenges facing Australian cricket, including the current Ashes series," said Martyn in a prepared statement.

"Such challenges require people who are more than 100% committed, dedicated, disciplined and passionate about the game, what it seeks to achieve and how those involved in the game can best serve cricket, sport and the wider community.

"I feel, therefore, it is time for me to move aside. I have enjoyed everything the game has given me - I have gained more from it than I could have ever imagined.

"I said to myself when I made this decision in the last 48 hours that I may lose friends in doing what I'm doing. But I also said to myself that if I stayed around doing what I was doing I may equally lose respect for myself and the friendship of those around me who are entitled to expect from me more than 100%."

Martyn played 46 Tests during his career, finishing with an average of 46.37, and played 208 one-day internationals for the world champions averaging 40.80.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said: "The decision is obviously something he has thought long and hard about and I know that all of the other members of the team will miss him greatly.

"Damien is one of the world's most unsung players in both forms of the game and I don't think it's really understood how good a player he actually is."

Following Martyn's shock retirement, Australia have called up uncapped batsman Adam Voges and all-rounder Andrew Symonds to their squad for the third Ashes Test.

"The retirement of Damien has given the selectors an opportunity to look at some of the fantastic young players who are emerging in Australia at the present time," explained chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.

"This was not an easy decision as there are many players pushing for selection, which augurs well for the future of Australian cricket."

Voges has enjoyed a fine start to the summer, scoring two centuries and 320 runs at an average of 160 in his three matches in domestic cricket, and also holds the record for the fastest century in the history of the domestic one-day competition off just 62 balls.

All-rounder Shane Watson, who would have been selected for the opening two Tests, was again unable to be considered because of the hamstring strain he has struggled to shake off.

England captain Andrew Flintoff has been given the all-clear to continue leading England in the Ashes series after being re-assured about his troublesome left ankle.

The Lancashire all-rounder admitted suffering discomfort in the ankle, which was operated on in July, during the second Test in Adelaide and had to retreat from the field several times during the six-wicket defeat. But after having a precautionary scan on the ankle at a Perth hospital last night, he has been re-assured there is no change in his condition and he is free to lead the side into the third Test at the WACA on December 14.

His absence from the field at various stages at the Adelaide Oval had increased speculation he may have suffered a recurrence of the problem which forced him out of the second half of last summer and eventually led to a second operation.

Flintoff took a full part in practice at the WACA today with the rest of the 11 that lost the opening two Tests.

Telegraph.co.uk

A great player with a fine career , reports in our media he was to be dropped so he resigned.
hows these stats

Quote:Martyn played 67 Tests after making his debut against the West Indies at the Gabba in 1992.
He scored 4406 runs at 46.37.

His final Test was in last week's victory over England in the second 3 mobile Ashes Test in Adelaide.

He also played 208 one-day international matches, the first also against the West Indies in Sydney during the 1992 season and has scored 5346 runs at 40.80.

media reports here speculate he was to be dropped for his home crowd test after 35 runs in 3 innings

Quote:Martyn retired today from first-class cricket, apparently after being told he would be dropped from the third Test team.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0...80,00.html

I hear the real reason is that he didn`t want to face up to the Mighty Monty. :tongue:


Monty Panesar

England

Player profile

Full name Mudhsuden Singh Panesar
Born April 25, 1982, Luton, Bedfordshire
Current age 24 years 227 days
Major teams England, British Universities, Loughborough UCCE, Marylebone Cricket Club, Northamptonshire
Batting style Left-hand bat
Bowling style Slow left-arm orthodox
Height 6.01 ft
Education Stopsley High School, Bedford; Loughborough University

Statsguru Test player

Lol maybe ,now there are mixed media reports now about his reasons for retiring .

Quote:DAMIEN Martyn yesterday announced his retirement from cricket three days after concerned teammates counselled him about his troubled mind-set.
Martyn's shock decision stunned national selectors, who hurriedly called up West Australian batsman Adam Voges to a 13-man squad which already included Queensland all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

Symonds is more likely to play in Thursday's third Test against England at the WACA Ground, Martyn's home ground.

The pressure on Martyn to retain his place was believed to be the major reason for his decision -- but he was not pushed by selectors.

He knew he was in the team which was minutes away from being released at 11.15am when he sent a text message to Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland alerting him to an email saying he would retire from all cricket.

Martyn may have seen Symonds' name in the team and been unable to face another week of conjecture over his place.

Martyn told Sutherland he did not want to speak to anyone because he wanted the decision to be his own.

CA rang captain Ricky Ponting, who was playing golf with teammate Stuart Clark.

Martyn, 35, who played 67 Tests and was one of the finest batsmen of his era, could no longer tolerate the relentless scrutiny of his form which was affecting his passion for the game -- as evidenced by his reckless second-innings dismissal against England on Tuesday when he charged Andrew Flintoff and slashed a ball to gully.

A sensitive man who loathes the spotlight, Martyn cut a sombre figure among the raucous scenes of celebration in the Australian dressing-room after the stunning six-wicket win in Adelaide.

He was in a subdued state about the continuing speculation over his place in the side and, according to one senior player "seemed almost uncomfortable about the fact that he could not enjoy the moment as much as he wanted to".

Two teammates spoke to him about his state of mind and one even suggested that if the game was eating him up to the point where he could not enjoy such a win, he might have to consider retirement.

Yesterday he took the plunge but stayed in hiding.

"I retire with a deep awareness of the opportunities that the game and Cricket Australia have provided for me," Martyn said in a statement.

"I said to myself when I made this decision in the last 48 hours that I may lose friends in doing what I'm doing. But I also said to myself that if I stayed doing what I was doing I may equally lose respect for myself and the friendship of those around me who are entitled to expect from me more than 100 per cent.

"However, I'm also aware of the tremendous challenges facing Australian cricket including this current Ashes series. Such challenges require people who are more than 100 per cent committed, dedicated, disciplined and passionate about the game, what it seeks to achieve and how those involved can best serve cricket, sport and the community.

"I feel, therefore, it's time for me to move aside. I have enjoyed everything the game has given me. I have gained from it more then I could have ever imagined. I have made lifelong friends.

"I want to thank the Australian captain, Ricky Ponting and all members of the current Australian Test and one-day sides. They have always been utterly supportive.

"I wish everyone associated with Cricket Australia the very best."

Sutherland dismissed any conspiracy theories -- a fallout with management, players or selectors -- and said he was sure Martyn had just followed his conscience.

"It was a pretty big surprise to read it (the email) but after having a chat with Damien I got a very clear indication that his decision was absolutely final," Sutherland said.

"It's fantastic that a player of his standing is able to stand up and make a decision and go out on top."

Australian squad for third Test: Langer, Hayden, Ponting ©, Hussey, Clarke, Symonds, Gilchrist, Warne, Lee, Clark, McGrath, Voges, Johnson (two to be omitted).