Tag: Damien Martyn

Australian Test cricket great Damien Martyn has revealed he was only given a 50 percent chance of surviving after being put in an induced coma with meningitis last month.

The 54-year-old former batsman, who played 67 Tests between 1992 and 2006 and 208 one-day internationals, was rushed to hospital on December 27 with the disease that causes swelling of membranes around the brain.

He was in a coma for eight days, but miraculously pulled through and is now back home.

In a heartfelt social media post late Saturday, Martyn said it was touch and go whether he would live, and the experience was a reminder of “how fragile life is”.

“After being given a 50/50 chance of surviving, I came out of the induced coma eight days later not able to walk or talk,” he said.

“And yet four days after that, with the doctors in disbelief, I walked, I talked and proved to them all why I should be released from hospital to start my recovery.

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“So happy to be home, to be able to put my feet in the sand on the beach and to start thanking all those people that reached out to me and my family in their unwavering support,” he added.

“Bring on 2026 … I’m back.”

Known as one of the game’s great strokemakers, Martyn became a key figure in Steve Waugh’s all-powerful Australia side, hitting 13 centuries and averaging 46.37.

He was also part of the Australia team that won the 2003 ODI World Cup, cracking 88 not out in the final against India in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting.

Martyn retired in 2006 during the Ashes series and had kept a low-profile since.

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Former Australia batter Damien Martyn has awoken from an induced coma following meningitis, ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist said on Sunday in a statement on behalf of Martyn’s family.

Martyn, 54, fell seriously ill last week and was rushed to the hospital.

He was diagnosed with meningitis — an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Now, former wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist provided an update regarding his health, calling his recovery a ‘miracle.’

“It’s been an unbelievable turn of events in the last 48 hours,” Gilchrist said. “He is now able to talk and respond to treatment.”

“He has responded extraordinarily well since coming out of the coma to the point where his family feels it’s like some sort of miracle,” he added.

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He remained hopeful of moving the batter out of the ICU amid speedy recovery.

“It has been so positive that they’re hopeful he will be able to move out of the ICU into another part of the hospital, which is representative of what a great recovery it’s been and how quickly it has flipped around.

He’s in good spirits and overwhelmed by the support. There is still some treatment and monitoring to go, but it’s looking positive,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Damien Martyn represented Australia in 67 Tests and 208 ODIs between 1992 and 2006.

He remained part of Australia’s triumph in the 2003 ODI World Cup. The right-hander played a pivotal role in the final against India alongside skipper Ricky Ponting, scoring an unbeaten 88*.

Damien Martyn called time on his international career during the 2006 Ashes and has kept a low profile since.

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Former Australian Test batter Damien Martyn is showing “positive signs” after being hospitalised in an induced coma with meningitis, ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist said.

The 54-year-old, who played 67 Tests between 1992 and 2006 and 208 one-day internationals, fell ill while lying down last week and was rushed to hospital.

He was diagnosed with meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

“Thank you, everyone, for the heartfelt love and wishes and care for Damien as he goes through a challenging time,” fellow Test great Gilchrist said during a Big Bash League (BBL) game broadcast on Thursday evening.

“He’s still in hospital. There’ll be more details coming out as they come to hand, but certainly in the last 24 hours, some positive signs are the indications coming out of the various tests he’s having.”

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A who’s who of cricket greats have posted messages of support, including former England skipper Michael Vaughan and Indian legends Ravichandran Ashwin and VVS Laxman.

Known as one of the game’s great strokemakers, Damien Martyn became a key figure in Steve Waugh’s all-powerful Australian side, hitting 13 centuries and averaging 46.37.

He was also part of the Australian team that won the 2003 ODI World Cup, cracking 88 not out in the final against India in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting.

Martyn retired in 2006 during the Ashes series and had kept a low profile since.

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Former Australian Test batter Damien Martyn has been rushed to hospital in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis, media reports said Wednesday.

The 54-year-old, who played 67 Tests between 1992 and 2006 and 208 one-day internationals, was admitted on Boxing Day last week after falling ill while lying down.

Australian media said he was being treated for meningitis, which can be deadly.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

“He is getting the best of treatment,” Test great and close friend Adam Gilchrist told The Australian newspaper.

“Amanda (his partner) and his family know that a lot of people are sending their prayers and best wishes.”

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Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann, a long-time teammate of Martyn’s, also sent support.

“Lots of love and prayers… keep strong and fighting, legend. Love to the family,” he wrote on X.

Known as one of the game’s great strokemakers, Damien Martyn became a key figure in Steve Waugh’s all-powerful Australian side, hitting 13 centuries and averaging 46.37.

He was also part of the Australia team that won the 2003 ODI World Cup, cracking 88 not out in the final against India in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting.

He retired in 2006 during the Ashes series and had kept a low profile since.

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