His father was a shoemaker who played one first-class match for a Surrey team in 1828 and who had a reputation as a good fast underarm bowler.

[5][7] After being unable to find sponsorship to play as a professional at MCC or in Surrey, Martingell moved to Kent in 1841 and was "engaged" working under Fuller Pilch at Canterbury.

In 1844 he was employed by the Earl of Ducie at Woodchester Park in Gloucestershire and played for West of England teams four times in two years.

[5][7] In 1846 Martingell was one of the first two professionals to be employed by the newly formed Surrey County Cricket Club at The Oval,[2][9] Dulcie having sold his property in Gloucestershire.

[2][7][10] He made his last appearance for Kent in 1854 and for Surrey in 1859, with his final first-class matches in 1860 being played for MCC.