Former Australia batter Damien Martyn is in a Queensland hospital after being diagnosed with meningitis, his family have confirmed. The 54-year-old fell ill on Boxing Day and was admitted soon after. Details were later verified to ESPNcricinfo, and word quickly spread among former team-mates.
“Lots of love and prayers sending @damienmartyn way. Keep strong and fighting legend. Love to the family xxx,” Darren Lehmann wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Speaking to News Corp, Adam Gilchrist added: “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.”
Meningitis can be serious at any age, though early treatment usually improves the outlook. Family sources say Martyn remains under observation while doctors decide whether further intervention is required. No timetable for discharge has been set.
A gifted strokemaker, Martyn played 67 Tests between 1992 and 2006, scoring 4,406 runs at 46.37 with 13 hundreds. His recall in 2000, after six years in the wilderness, turned into a mainstay role in Steve Waugh’s formidable XI. The run of big scores in the early 2000s — notably at Headingley and Johannesburg — still crops up in pub debates about Australia’s most stylish No. 4s.
White-ball fans will remember him for the 2003 World Cup final. His unbeaten 88, stitched together with Ricky Ponting in a 234-run stand, all but settled the trophy before India’s chase began. In ODIs overall, he tallied 5,346 runs at 40.80 with five centuries.
Since retiring midway through the 2006-07 Ashes, Martyn has been largely out of the limelight, save for one-off commentary stints and the occasional social-media quip. On Christmas Eve he posted about the current side: “If the old brigade could play again then this would be it. Boxing Day test match. What a cauldron.”
While the cricket community waits for further updates, the focus is on Martyn’s recovery. Former colleagues, opponents and supporters alike will be hoping the easy-on-the-eye right-hander has the same resolve off the field that he once showed at the crease.
