Martin aims to use bat not body

By John Mehaffey

LONDON (Reuters) - Cricket folklore abounds in tales of the hapless number elevens whose arrival at the crease signals the end of the innings is nigh.

The classic example is England leg-spinner Eric Hollies, the man who famously bowled Don Bradman in his last test for a duck. Hollies retired with more first class wickets than runs.

More recently New Zealander Danny Morrison (test average 8.42 and a then world record 24 ducks) and Jamaican Courtney Walsh (7.54 with a record 43 ducks), stand out.

But even by their standards New Zealand's Chris Martin is something special.

Martin averages just 2.55 from 40 tests with a highest score of 12 not out. The announcement that he is the final batsman in inspires predictable mirth from spectators who would not themselves ever contemplate facing international fast bowling.

At a news conference before Thursday's first test against England at Lord's, Martin revealed that he had bruises all over his body after the Kiwis' final warm-up match.

"That's woken me up to the fact that it's important that I start to get bat in front of ball instead of body," he said.

The problem, Martin explained, was not vision but coordination.