Damien Martyn, the former Australia cricketer, has been placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis. According to Australian media, 54-year-old Martyn had been taken to a hospital in Brisbane after falling ill on Boxing Day. News of his condition emerged on Tuesday evening.
“Damien Martyn remains in a serious condition at the Gold Coast University Hospital,” a spokesperson for Gold Coast Health said on Wednesday, per Nine. Martyn’s former Australia teammate and close friend Adam Gilchrist said on News Corp that he is getting “the best of treatment”. “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.
Former AFL player Brad Hardie had first announced Martyn’s condition on Perth’s 6PR radio. “Damien Martyn, the champ from WA, fantastic batsman … unfortunately took ill on Boxing Day and currently is residing in a Queensland hospital and he is in for the fight of his life,” Hardie said. “I’d like everybody to certainly have their best wishes and positive thoughts for Marto. God give him strength. Let’s hope he can pull through because it’s really serious.”
2003 World Cup winner
Martyn was part of Ricky Ponting’s world-beating Australian side that won the 2003 World Cup. He played 67 Tests for Australia from 1992 to 2006, scoring 4406 runs at 46.37 including 13 centuries. Martyn also played 208 ODIs, forming a lethal opening partnership with Matthew Hayden. He scored 5346 runs in the format at an average of 40.80 with five centuries and 37 half-centuries.
If the old brigade could play again then this would be it. Boxing Day test match. What a cauldron. #MCG #BoxingDay #England #Australia #Ashes2025 https://t.co/5ndG1V9chh
— Damien Martyn🏏 (@damienmartyn) December 24, 2025
Martyn has largely kept a low profile since retiring, occassionally working in commentary. He had been tweeting about the ongoing Ashes congratulating Australia after their confirmed a series win after the third Test. “Great to see the Aussie Boys celebrate winning the Ashes with pride and joy! A team that for some reason was written off before the series. But hey you cant trust everything you read or hear. This will hurt England for awhile. Looking forward to the Boxing Day test match. Wonder who will replace Lyon?” he had said in his tweet.
His last post on X had been looking forward to the Boxing Day Test. “If the old brigade could play again then this would be it. Boxing Day test match. What a cauldron. #MCG #BoxingDay #England #Australia #Ashes2025,” he posted.
