damien martyn

Born: 21.10.1971
State: Western Australia
Tests: 67
Role: Middle-order batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Bat Average: 46.37
Bowl Average: 84.00

At his best, Damien Martyn makes batting look almost indecently easy, effortlessly compiling attractive runs, particularly through the offside.

But after averaging over 76 in the 2001 Ashes series, a disappointing 2005 saw him become the most high-profile casualty of the defeat to Michael Vaughan's side.

The Western Australian may have thought his Test career was over, but the selectors opted to go with his experience on the tour to South Africa.

A composed century in the final Test confirmed his return to the side, but he struggled in Bangladesh.

Martyn was tipped for the top from a young age, but the brash, over-confident youngster found Test cricket much harder than many - himself included - had expected.

He took almost a decade to establish himself in the side, but he made up in fine style with consistent scoring in the early years of the 21st century.

But with Australia looking to youth, Martyn may once again be out of the side at the start of the Ashes series.

But his wealth of experience and undoubted class may yet earn him another chance at Test level.