Former Australian Test and limited overs batsman Damien Martyn is in hospital in Brisbane in an induced coma after falling ill with meningitis.
The 54-year-old is Darwin-born but grew up in Western Australia, where he made his first-class cricket debut in 1991 and went on to captain the state for a season, as well as skippering Australia A.
He played international cricket for Australia between 1992 and 2006, including several Ashes series and Australia’s World Cup win in 2003.
Martyn was known as a great shot-maker, particularly on the subcontinent. He was player of the series the last time Australia won an away series in India, topscoring in four of Australia’s eight innings at the crease in the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy battle.
His Test high score of 165 came against New Zealand in 2005.
He made 4,406 Test runs with 13 centuries and 5,346 ODI runs for Australia with five centuries.
Martyn now lives in Queensland and the ABC has confirmed with cricket sources that he fell ill several days ago and was taken to hospital, where he remains in an induced coma with meningitis.
Adam Gilchrist confirmed his former Test and Western Australia teammate’s hospitalisation in a statement on behalf of the Martyn family.
“He is getting the best of treatment and [Martyn’s partner] Amanda and his family know that a lot of people are sending their prayers and best wishes,” Gilchrist said.
Chief executive Todd Greenberg wished Martyn a quick recovery on behalf of Cricket Australia.
“I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness. The best wishes of everyone at CA and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time,” Greenberg said.
Meningitis is an infection and swelling, or inflammation, of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
Former Australian teammate and cricket coach Darren Lehmann tweeted his support for Martyn on Wednesday morning.
Source: ABC News
