Martin Looms as Key for New Zealand

A month ago, Chris Martin was trucking around New Zealand domestic cricket grounds, having minimal luck in his efforts to return decent bowling figures following his dropping from the national side, and possibly wondering if his chances to don the black cap again were waning.

Martin, slightly disillusioned, was probably never really that far from national re-selection, told he needed to work on regaining his 'zip' and pace, attributes that seemingly never deserted him during his test career no matter how long the spells, how hot the day or how forlorn the situation.

Now, it seems, those admirable qualities have seen him cement again his new ball role in this Black Caps side for the time being, so much so that the 47-test veteran looms as a decisive factor in the deciding third test in Wellington.

Ironically, his recall to the side, amid rumours that not all of the selection panel were in favour of his inclusion, came after some modest returns in the State Championship.

It has been suggested by some that Martin's selection was due to demand from captain Daniel Vettori that he be included, surely flattering and confidence-building stuff for the Cantabrian if that was the case.

Either way, it is clear that Martin is once again the "go to" man for Vettori, the man entrusted with the responsibility if he feels a wicket is needed or senses an opportunity to capitalise on an initial breakthrough. So far, the industrious right-armer has more or less delivered the goods.

In the first test, Martin first removed opener Gautam Gambhir early, before coming back late in the day to remove VVS Laxman with New Zealand still 60 runs ahead, to spark life back into the side.

He once again did his best to ignite an Indian collapse later, knocking over Yuvraj Singh with the visitors only slightly in front, but lacked immediate support from his team-mates. As he did in Australia before his surprising axing, Martin broke the game wide open with these scalps.

After running through India's middle order in the first innings of the second test to help ensure the follow-on was enforced, Martin and his teammates were denied by India's incredible resilience in the second, though not before he claimed the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar on the fifth morning, again sparking hopes of a victory.

With the pitch for the third test in Wellington likely to contain significantly more grass cover than the deadpan wicket in Napier, a confident Martin, along with the exciting Tim Southee, may be New Zealand's chance to finally take 20 Indian wickets, a feat not achieved in the first two tests.

Martin could also knock off a personal milestone in the match, with the stalwart sitting on 153 test match wickets, fifth on the country's all-time list and just seven wickets away from Danny Morrison's career haul of 160. If he indeed does achieve this feat, he would have gone a long way towards securing those elusive 20 wickets, and possibly a test victory, for his side.

And maybe, just maybe, the 34 year-old will be given a chance to achieve another milestone before he retires, that of finally being able to crack that maiden test 50, before his batting partner once again robs him of the chance.