It has taken almost five years but Otago wicketkeeper Katey Martin is finally back in black.
Martin yesterday joined Otago Sparks team-mate Sarah Tsukigawa in the White Ferns squad named to play England later this month in Christchurch and Australia in the Rose Bowl series in March.
Otago's other top cricketer, Suzie Bates was unavailable because of basketball commitments.
Martin made a fleeting appearance for the White Ferns when she toured India with the side in 2003.
Since then the 23-year-old has been a regular in the New Zealand A team but unable to break back into the elite side.
But this season, a fitter and refocused Martin set herself the goal of returning to international cricket, and with a standout State League, in which she averaged more than 50 with the bat and took a startling 15 stumpings, the selectors could no longer ignore her claims.
‘‘It's an honour to get back in,‘‘ Martin said yesterday. ‘‘I put my head down this year and worked really hard to get a spot in the team.
‘‘After touring India in 2003 I didn't really do as much work as I needed to do. I had to make a few decisions this year and decide if it was something I really wanted. It was, and I've worked hard the whole year for it.''
Martin, the daughter of Otago rugby coach and Highlanders assistant Steve Martin, has always been considered a talented cricketer.
She joined her first cricket club at the age of 7, was selected for the Otago under-21 side when aged 14 and the following year made the Otago Sparks team.
Now based in Christchurch and working as a Telecom corporate rep, Martin said the big priority this season was to improve her fitness, which meant donning gloves of a different kind and taking up boxing.
‘‘I had a few people nag at me about my fitness - Dad at times, Sarah Tsukigawa and Clare Taylor.
‘‘Something just clicked inside. I started thinking about the world cup next year and it was something I really wanted to strive for.
‘‘I think I've matured in the last couple of years, as a person and as a cricketer. ‘‘I've taken on more responsibility with the batting for Otago and all the hard work has paid off.''
Martin will keep wickets in the series against England but will relinquish the gloves to Rachel Priest against Australia and play as a specialist batsman.
‘‘I'm not sure where I'll bat but it will be in the top order. I pride myself on my batting more than my keeping. ‘‘Now that I'm back in the team I want to stay in it. The best way to do that is go out there and perform.''
