Saturday is the D-day for me, says Martyn
Friday, March 21 2003 18:44 Hrs (IST)

Johannesburg: Australia's middle-order batsman Damien Martyn faces the most testing net session of his career on Saturday when he will discover whether or not his broken finger will rule him out of the World Cup final.

The 31-year-old is hoping the injury, which occurred while fielding against Kenya last week, will stand the pressure of a full assault in practice before the defending champion takes on India at the Wanderers on Sunday.

"Saturday is D-day for me in the sense I will have to field, catch and bat," he told reporters. Physio Errol Alcott also faces a dilemma over whether or not to administer pain killers to the fractured right index finger which could get the player through the game.

If he did, they would numb the hand and subsequently make fielding difficult. "We have reduced the soft tissue swelling which helps but there is still an element of pain to deal with and on the day that is what he is going to be faced with," said the physio.

"It's only a week since the break so he will experience some pain. Lots of players play with fractures, it's an important game and time has moved on since those dark days when you didn't play with breaks."

Martyn admitted on Thursday that he would be honest with skipper Ricky Ponting if he didn't feel that he could play. "The swelling's gone and it is getting better and better, but I will make myself available for the final only if I am 100 percent fit," Martyn said.

"I have never broken my finger, but have told Ricky I will not jeopardise the final by playing with an injury. I am lucky I am still in the side and don't have to watch the final on television like Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne," he said

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
I will play only if I'm 100 per cent fit: Martyn