Just reward for Martyn after giant Test year.

(From Canberra Times)

Batsman Damien Martyn was rewarded for his star-studded cricket year when he won the Australian Test Player of the Year award at last night's Allan Border Medal count.

Martyn's six centuries in three countries earned the 33-year-old 13 votes from teammates, media and umpires to beat fellow West Australian Justin Langer (10 votes) and leg-spinner Shane Warne (nine).

Martyn will head to New Zealand next month as arguably Australia's best batsman, when the last time he went across the Tasman in 1999-2000 he was unsure of his place after a six-year Test exile.

Martyn, who lost his place in the Test team after a heart-breaking loss to South Africa in the summer of 1993-94, is arguably the lowest-profile member of Australia's champion side, but his achievements during 2004-05 were remarkable and elevated him to star status.

He scored 1373 in the 14 matches (average 59.70) during the voting period and struck six centuries - including two in Sri Lanka, two in successive innings in India and two in successive innings against Pakistan, in Perth and Melbourne.

His efforts were crucial towards helping Australia win 3-0 in ...