Warne behind Rajasthan hiring Martyn

MELBOURNE - Damien Martyn’s seemingly finished career received a fillip when he was bought by Rajasthan Royals in Tuesday’s Indian Premier League auction and hinted that this was done at the behest of skipper Shane Warne.

Martyn, 38, was one of the only two Australians coming under the hammer successfully, the other being fringe one-day player Adam Voges, who also will turn out for Rajasthan Royals.

The former Australian middle order batsman attended Australia’s national cricket academy with Warne 20 years ago and they have been firm friends ever since.

The pair crossed paths at the beginning of the summer and Martyn, who retired in dramatic circumstances following the Adelaide Test against England during 2006-07, inquired about the IPL.

“We had a chat about the pros and cons and he put me on to certain people including (IPL commissioner) Lalit Modi,” Martyn was quoted as saying in The Australian.

“I had to get my paperwork in order and Warnie said he might be interested, depending on which other players were available.”

That paperwork included signing out of the rebel Indian Cricket League, where Martyn had captained the Ahmedabad Rockets.

He has been keeping fit and will now start a cricket programme.

“There’s a local cricket club down the road with good facilities and I’ll get in touch with coach Mark O’Neill (a former state player),” said Martyn, bought for the base price $100,000.

He has spoken to Warne and other former Australia teammates Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden about how they prepare for the IPL - with specialised cricket programmes rather than playing games.

“We’ve got three practice games once we get over there,” Martyn said.

“That’s the only thing with being a freelance Twenty20 player, preparing. Symmo (Andrew Symonds) had the same problem.”

Marytn will not make any decisions on his future beyond the IPL but said playing for Western Australia in the Twenty20 Big Bash was appealing, even if it was mainly as a squad member.