Wisden overview
The purists sniffed a little when Chris Martin was sent as a replacement for the New Zealand team in South Africa in 2000-01. He looked too slim, rather awkward of run-up, too chest-on at delivery to survive long at the top. But by the end of that season the spindly Martin was hailed as the bowling find of the season, and a tribute to the sharp-eyed judgement of Richard Hadlee, chairman of New Zealand selectors. In 11 Test innings at that stage Martin had taken 28 wickets and in seven one-dayers he had been hostile and economical. Although hardly classical in method, Martin proved a potent new-ball bowler, able to gain surprising lift or to provide incisive inswing. Martin is also a very modern young man, inquisitive about cricket and life, and keen to learn the sporting skills. Don Cameron

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd