Martin Kent

Who is Martin Kent?

Martin Francis Kent is a former Australian cricketer who played in 3 Tests and 5 ODIs in 1981.

This elegant right-handed batsman was unfortunate to play only three times for his country. He scored 140 on his debut for Queensland in 1974–75 season but the powerful Australian middle order of the seventies, dominated by the Chappell brothers and Doug Walters kept him out of contention for international honours. Opportunity did arise when Kerry Packer bought up most of the leading stars in 1977, but he chose World Series Cricket instead of staying with the traditional game. He would certainly have played in the 1978–79 Ashes series otherwise.

He was finally chosen to tour England in 1981 but the trip was not a happy one for Kim Hughes' side against a revitalised Ian Botham. Kent was one of Australia's few positives, coming into the side for the final three tests he scored 171 runs, including a fifty as a makeshift opener at the Oval. A serious back injury cost him his place however, he missed most of the 1981–82 season and was forced into premature retirement. In 64 first-class matches he scored a total of 3567 runs at 36.03 with a best of 171 against Tasmania.