ICL signs up Damien Martyn

According to Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper (09/02/07). Damien Martyn, has signed up with Indian Cricket League.

Rumors had linked Damien Martyn, with the ICL for last two weeks but his manager initially gave the statement that the league is not for him. An agreement was finalized between the ICL bosses and Martyn on Friday. According to the newspaper, he is excited about playing with former and current cricket stars such as Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar respectively.

He told the Dialy Telegraph; "Imagine walking out to bat alongside either of those guys, it's a chance just too good to miss. It's a chance also to play in a team captained by Warnie.''

Martyn had shocked Australia last December when he retired from all forms of cricket midway through the Ashes series. He finally revealed his reason for retirement in the beginning of this year, after almost four weeks of silence. He said, “He had never been comfortable with the whole celebrity stuff that comes with the game. I found [it] hard to deal with," while adding that he can "now go and live life and enjoy it".

He insisted that the ICL would have minimal impact on his personal life. "It's only six weeks each summer," he said, "which wouldn't have the same burdens of playing for long periods of time away from home."

Rumor mill has it that ICL in the near future will have two more shinning stars - Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath; even though both have yet to sign on dotted line with the league. Shane and Glenn, like Martyn, have retired from international cricket.

Resource: /www.indiancricketleague.com