Damien Martyn is in an induced coma in hospital as he battles the killer disease meningitis.
The former batter was rushed to a Brisbane hospital in a serious condition after falling ill on Boxing Day.
Martyn was put into the coma while suffering from meningitis, which inflames the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can lead to swelling on the brain, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Sydney Morning Herald.
It is hoped that the 54-year-old can be brought out of the coma over the course of the next few days, the sources said.
AFL legend Brad Hardie sent his ‘thoughts and prayers’ to Martyn and his family during his late-night radio broadcast on 6PR on Tuesday.
‘Damien Martyn, the champ from WA, fantastic batsman … unfortunately took ill on Boxing Day and is currently 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.’
Martyn’s former teammate Darren Lehmann posted a message of support on X as the news broke.
‘Lots of love and prayers sending @damienmartyn way. Keep strong and fighting legend. Love to the family xxx,’ Lehmann wrote.
And another former teammate of Martyn’s, Adam Gilchrist, provided an update on behalf of the star’s 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.
It comes as Martyn had taken to X on Christmas Eve to share his excitement about Australia’s fourth Ashes Test at the MCG.
‘If the old brigade could play again, then this would be it,’ he wrote, adding a picture of the MCG.
‘Boxing Day test match. What a cauldron.’
As a top-order batsman, many of Martyn’s colleagues revered his brilliant skill and ability to score runs.
Martyn captained Australia at U19 level, before going on to make his Test debut in 1992.
During his career, Martyn, who played first-class cricket for Western Australia, scored 4,406 runs across 67 Test matches.
Martyn also enjoyed spells in England’s County Championship with Leicestershire and Yorkshire.
He was also drafted to play for the Rajasthan Royals during the 2010 IPL season.
Martyn notably shocked the cricket world by announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket in the middle of the 2006-07 Ashes at the age of 35.
