Former Aussie cricket star Damien Martyn is in an induced coma in a Brisbane hospital. The 54-year-old contracted meningitis on Boxing Day, and things went rapidly downhill.
What’s Happened
Martyn became ill at home on December 26. His partner, Amanda, called an ambulance. By the time he arrived at the hospital, doctors had decided to place him in an induced coma. That’s what they do to people with meningitis sometimes when their brain is swelling.
Adam Gilchrist, his former teammate and friend, spoke on behalf of the family. “Right now, he is receiving the best of care, and Amanda and his family would like to express their appreciation for all of the prayers and support they have received from everyone.”
That’s basically all we know. No one’s saying much else, which is likely the right choice to make when someone is this sick.
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Cricket World Reacts
News broke Tuesday evening. By Wednesday, all were posting messages. “Lots of love and prayers heading in Damien Martyn’s direction.” Darren Lehmann said on X. Keep strong and fighting, legend.”
Cricket Australia’s Todd Greenberg said he was devastated. Michael Vaughan sent support. So did many other cricketers. Even Brad Hardie has mentioned it on his Perth radio show.
Martyn’s always been popular. Quiet bloke. Didn’t make a fuss. Just played brilliant cricket and then disappeared after he retired.
Who He Was
If you watched cricket in the late 90s and early 2000s, you know Martyn. Class batsman. Made it look easy.
Played 67 Tests between 1992 and 2006. Scored 4,406 runs at an average of 46.37. That’s good. Really good. Thirteen centuries. The sort of player who saved you when things got messy.
In one-day cricket? Even better. 208 matches, 5,346 runs. Known as one of the best finishers. You wanted him batting when you needed quick runs at the end.
His most famous innings was the 2003 World Cup final against India. He made 88 not out with a broken finger. Australia demolished India that day. Martyn and Ponting put on 234 runs together.
Career Highlights
Martyn was declared player of the series when Australia won a Test Series in India back in 2004. Winning in India is mental. He top-scored in four of Australia’s eight innings.
He also won two World Cups. 1999 and 2003. That Steve Waugh era when Australia couldn’t lose. Martyn fitted right in with his elegant batting.
Martyn was born in Darwin and made his Test debut at the age of 21. Captained Western Australia at 23. Everyone reckoned he’d be a star. He was.
Martyn quit cricket during the Ashes series in 2006-07. Australia were smashing England 5-0. After the second test, Martyn walked away. There was no significant announcement made regarding his departure. Just done. Kept a low profile ever since.
What’s Meningitis Anyway?
It’s an infection that makes the membranes around your brain and spinal cord swell up. It can be bacterial or viral. Bacteria are way worse. It can kill you in hours.
Symptoms of meningitis hit fast; that includes massive headache, stiff neck, accompanied by high fever, and vomiting. Occasionally, you may experience a rash. If you get those symptoms, hospital. Now.
Doctors put patients in induced comas to reduce swelling. Gives your body a better shot at fighting it off. That’s where Martyn is now.
The Sydney Morning Herald reckons doctors might try bringing him out of the coma in the next few days. But that’s not confirmed by anyone official.
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Where Things Stand
We don’t know much more. He’s sick. Getting treatment. Families with him. The cricket community is supporting them.
All you can do is wait. Hope the treatment works. Hope he pulls through. Martyn was an outstanding player. His stroke play appeared effortless. Now he is fighting the greatest fight of his life. If his cricket career taught us anything, it is that he knew how to deliver when it counted. Let’s hope that the fight will get him through this.
