AN EX-England star has made his debut in the Premier League of an entirely new sport.
Nigel Martyn is best remembered for spells at the likes of Crystal Palace and Leeds during his two-decade career.
Knaresborough Cricket ClubNigel Martyn has swapped goalkeeping for wicketkeeping[/caption]
YouTube @Sheriff Hutton Bridge Cricket ClubHe did not bat in the game but took the gloves[/caption]
YouTube @Sheriff Hutton Bridge Cricket ClubHe helped the club win promotion last year[/caption]
Getty Images – GettyMartyn spent time at Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Everton during his career[/caption]
Martyn, 58, hung up his goalkeeping gloves in 2006 after picking up 23 caps for England.
Now, nearly 20 years later he has got himself a new type of glove as a wicketkeeper for a ECB Yorkshire Premier League North side.
He made his first appearance of the season for Knaresborough CC against Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC.
Martyn had even taken the gloves ahead of Jonathan Tattersall, though he still managed to knock a half-century.
The cricketer is a specialist wicketkeeper and is playing for Knaresborough following his exit from Yorkshire CCC where he had been captain.
Knaresborough CC scored 176/8 in their 50 overs while Martyn did not bat at Moor Farm Ground.
Martyn started his footballing career back in 1986 at St Blazey in Cornwall.
He joined Bristol Rovers in 1987 after reportedly being spotted by a club tea lady.
Two years later, he made the move to Palace for a transfer fee worth £1million.
This made him the most expensive goalkeeper in English football history.
GettyHe earned 23 caps for England in his career[/caption]
Getty Images – GettyHe retired in 2006 after an ankle injury[/caption]
He played 349 times for the South London club but tasted defeat in the 1990 FA Cup final to Manchester United.
He then broke the previous transfer record in 1996 when he moved to Leeds United for £2.25m.
He performed so well at Elland Road that he was voted as part of the club’s greatest ever team and the only player from after the Don Revie era.
In 2003, he made the move to Everton despite interest from Chelsea.
He retired in 2006 following a stress fracture in his ankle and was hailed by manager David Moyes as his “greatest ever signing”.
Martyn earned almost two dozen caps for the Three Lions but spent most of his career as the second-choice behind David Seaman.
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