Australian cricket legend Damien Martyn wakes up from life-threatening coma

Former Australian great Damien Martyn has made a remarkable recovery after a serious health scare. 

The 54-year-old cricket legend, who starred for Australia in 67 Tests and 208 One-Day Internationals between 1992 and 2006, was hospitalised late last month after suddenly falling ill with meningitis — a dangerous infection that causes inflammation around the brain and spinal cord. 

Doctors placed Martyn in a medically induced coma at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Queensland after his condition rapidly deteriorated, a standard practice when the brain needs rest and protection during severe illness. 

Miraculous turnaround

Over the past few days, Martyn’s condition improved dramatically. 

According to close friend and former teammate Adam Gilchrist, Martyn has awoken from the coma, is talking and responding to treatment, and is in good spirits. 

Gilchrist described the recovery as “an unbelievable turn of events in the last 48 hours”, saying Martyn’s family saw it as “almost like some sort of miracle”. 

His doctors are hopeful that, with continued positive progress, Martyn will soon be able to move out of the intensive care unit (ICU) into another part of the hospital as he continues his recovery. 

Support and gratitude

Martyn’s wife, Amanda, and family have thanked the medical team and expressed deep appreciation for the outpouring of support from fans, former teammates, and the global cricket community. 

Messages from cricket figures in Australia, India, England, and beyond have poured in, reflecting how much Martyn means to the sport and its fans. 

Legacy

Martyn was known as one of Australia’s most elegant and effective batsmen of his era, playing key roles in multiple World Cup campaigns (including the 2003 win) and throughout Australia’s dominant run in world cricket during the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

A serious bout of meningitis led to a life-threatening induced coma, but Martyn’s sudden awakening and strong response to treatment have brought relief and joy to the cricketing world as he continues his recovery.