The former Australian Test cricketer Damien Martyn has been admitted to hospital and placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis.
The sporting community is rallying around the 54-year-old, who “is in for the fight of his life”, according to the former AFL player Brad Hardie, who revealed Martyn’s condition on 6PR on Tuesday.
Martyn remains in a serious condition after falling ill on Boxing Day and being taken to hospital in Queensland where he was diagnosed with meningitis, according to sources close to the family. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Former teammate Darren Lehmann urged Martyn to “keep strong” via X, as the cricket world began to react to the news.
Adam Gilchrist confirmed his former Test and Western Australia teammate was in hospital 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.
Cricket Australia boss, Todd Greenberg, also wished Martyn a quick recovery. “I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness,” he said. “The best wishes of everyone at CA and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time.”
As recently as Christmas Eve, Martyn had been active on social media expressing his excitement for the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes Test.
Speaking on 6PR radio, former Test bowler Rodney Hogg called Martyn’s hospitalisation “shocking news”. “We wish him all the best,” Hogg said.
Born in Darwin, the right-hander earned a Test debut at 21 replacing the late Dean Jones in the 1992-93 home series against West Indies and was Western Australia’s captain at 23.
He was player of the series the last time Australia won an away series in India, top-scoring in four of Australia’s eight innings at the crease in the 2004 battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Martyn is considered one of Australia’s most talented batters, playing 67 Tests and scoring 4,406 Test runs for an average of 46.37 between 1992 and 2006. He also played ODIs and his unbeaten 88 in the 2003 World Cup final – with a broken finger – helped Australia secure victory over India.
Martyn retired suddenly in the middle of the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia after struggling in the opening two Tests.
• This article was amended on 31 December 2025 to clarify that Damien Martyn retired during the 2006-07 Ashes in Australia, not the “2005-06 series in England” as incorrectly stated.
