Warne helped me join IPL, says Martyn

MELBOURNE: Retired batsman Damien Martyn, one of the two Australian players sold at yesterday's IPL auction,

said it was his ex-teammate and Rajasthan Royal's captain Shane Warne who guided him in sending his entry for the auction.

The 38-year-old Martyn, who quit international cricket in 2006, was yesterday bought by the Rajasthan outfit for USD 100,000 (45.5 lakhs), giving a major boost to his seemingly finished cricket career.

Another Australian, who found a place in the cash-awash tournament was one-day specialist Adam Voges, who was also picked by the Rajasthan team for USD 50,000. Martyn said that he met Warne recently in Australia and inquired about his prospects in the IPL.

"We had a chat about the pros and cons and he put me on to certain people including (IPL commissioner) Lalit Modi. "I said I had to get my paperwork in order and Warnie said he might be interested, depending on which other players were available," Martyn told The Australian.

That paperwork included signing out of the rebel Indian Cricket League, where Martyn had led the Ahmedabad Rockets. The right-hand batsman had attended Australia's national cricket academy with Warne 20 years ago and they have been firm friends ever since.

Other Australian players like Brad Haddin, Doug Bollinger and Phil Hughes went unsold in the auction due to uncertainty over their availability for the whole tournament, which clashes with their tour of New Zealand in March-April.