Maturing Martin keen to make his mark

Chris Martin has benefitted from a more professional approach © Getty Images

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Chris Martin hopes to prove his fast-bowling credentials in English conditions in the forthcoming npower Test series.

New Zealand paceman Martin claimed only six wickets in his previous Test campaign here four years ago, limping out of the final match of a 3-0 defeat due to a hamstring injury.

But the 33-year-old has undoubtedly improved since then and was better than his 11-victim haul in the recent home loss to England suggested.

“I think I have just got more professional, and a little bit stronger, fitter and healthier,” said Martin ahead of the first Test at Lord’s, which starts tomorrow.

“When I was over here last time I was just running on fumes pretty much.

“At this stage I am feeling pretty good about the season that is coming up. And I am older and wiser as well.”

His batting, however, has not matured with age, as his average of 2.55 across 40 Tests proves.

Last week he was left bruised by a bombardment of bouncers from England Lions fast bowler Chris Tremlett at the Rose Bowl.

“That has woken me up to the fact that it’s important to get bat in front of the ball instead of the body,” said Martin.

Martin admits there is much room for improvement in his batting © Getty Images

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“For me double figures has always been pretty good. Relaying the message from what I see to my hands and my feet has always been a bit of a problem.

“There is a slight mental block as well with my batting - when I was younger I know I wasn’t as handicapped as I am now.

“I also understand that playing at this level that there is not a lot of room to move if you have limited ability.”

Martin is also hoping to use his Test performances here to put himself forward for a future stint in the Indian Premier League.

He is the most senior Kiwi not to have been involved in this year’s competition and admitted: “It inspires me to get myself over there.

“As far as a New Zealand player goes, it is an important financial incentive to get yourself into India.

“For a young guy coming up, playing cricket in New Zealand, it is a passage you should be following.

“It’s a superannuation plan - if you can get your name up in lights and somebody with a wad of rupees is willing to spend money on you to play cricket in their country it is not something to turn down.

“It is a supplement to your career and means you focus even more time and energy on playing for your country.”