St George DCC First Grade Player No. 206: John Martin

St George Cricket Club | December 31, 2024

Born during the Second World War on 8 May 1942 in Alton, Hampshire, of the United Kingdom Martin went on to become an important member of the St George District Cricket Club during one of its most successful periods in its 110 year history to date.

During his career, Martin was given the nickname of “Big Fave” as a nod to Burrell Creek’s Johnny Martin, the left-arm tweaker and big hitter for Australia, who was known as the “Little favourite.”

“Big Fave” took 365 First Grade wickets at an average of 18.22 across 12 fine seasons. His impressive form saw him selected for higher honours in the 1966-67 season. Debuting under the captaincy of St George teammate Brian Booth as well as Norm O’Neill, Martin took 4-63 and 0-9 against Western Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. From his debut until February 1970, Martin made sporadic appearances for his state, but was unable to lock in a spot. He took 19 wickets across his 8 appearances for New South Wales.

Proving that his best was not behind him, Martin took 50 First Grade wickets at 16.5 in the 1973-74 season. John Rogers described Martin as “every cricket team’s ideal of a downward quick bowler who’d have the opposition hopping from ball one. In the late 1960s when St George won four premierships in six seasons, no other downwind fast bowler could come near Big Fave.” Across all grades, Martin took 499 wickets, including a Third Grade Hat trick against Western Suburbs in 1962-63.

First Grade – 403

Second Grade – 11

Third Grade – 49

Fourth Grade – 36

In the club’s Centenary celebrations in 2010-11, Martin was selected in the St George DCC Teams of the Decade for 1960/61-1969/70 as well as 1970/71-1979/80.

Outside of cricket John was a very successful Engineer and was regarded by Mr St George, Warren Saunders as a highly respected and competitive player who always gave 110%. 

John Martin was added to the St George DCC Hall Of Fame in 2020.