Adam Gilchrist has provided details surrounding the health of cricket great Damien Martyn after he was placed in an induced coma.
Australian cricket great Adam Gilchrist has revealed there are “positive signs” surrounding the health of Damien Martyn.
The former Aussie Test cricketer was transported to a Brisbane hospital from his Gold Coast Home after becoming unwell and lying down to rest on Boxing Day.
The 54-year-old was placed in an induced coma in hospital after being diagnosed with meningitis.
Meningitis is a serious inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain the brain and spinal cord which can lead to serious complications including death.
News of the diagnosis shocked the cricket community with players and fans from around the globe sending thoughts and prayers to the 67 Test star.
On Thursday, Gilchrist provided an encouraging update on behalf of Martyn’s family after a series of tests over the past 24 hours.
“He’s still in hospital. There’ll be more details come out as they come to hand but certainly in the last 24 hours, some positive signs are the indications coming out of the various tests he’s having,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
“There’s been so much interest and love.
“A fine player, terrific fella. I just hope he can continue a recovery.”
Gilchrist began by extending gratitude for all the well wishes Martyn has received on behalf of the 54-year old and his family.
“On behalf of Damien Martyn, a great friend, a former teammate of a few of us … on behalf of his family, Amanda his partner, thank you to everyone for the heartfelt love and wishes and care for Damien as he’s gone through and continues to go through a challenging time,” Gilchrist said.
Just two weeks ago before the commencement of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide Martyn uploaded a social media video from Brisbane in which he looked happy and healthy.
Martyn played 67 Tests and 208 One-Day Internationals for Australia between 1992 and 2006. He scored 4406 runs in Test cricket at an average of 46.4, including 13 centuries, and a further 5346 runs in ODIs.
He was part of Australia’s dominant squads through the golden period of the early 2000s and featured in the 2003 World Cup victory.
A highly regarded junior prospect, Martyn captained Australia’s under-19 side and made his Test debut at 21.
Martyn was born in Darwin before moving to Western Australia, where he became the state’s youngest ever captain in 1993 at just 23 years of age.
His early international career was interrupted after an attempted cut shot in a tight finish against South Africa in Sydney in 1994 led to his dismissal and subsequent omission from the Test side.
He spent several seasons outside the national set-up before returning in 2000.
His reintroduction to the Test team marked a significant career resurgence before Martyn became a regular in the middle order and was particularly effective on the subcontinent.
In 2004 he recorded one of his strongest years, scoring Test centuries in both Sri Lanka and India and registering scores of 97 in each country.
Former teammates have regularly credited his improved play against spin during that period as a critical factor in Australia’s overseas success.
Martyn suddenly announced his retirement during the 2006-07 Ashes series, stepping away after the second Test in Adelaide.
At the time, he said the decision was based on personal circumstances and a desire to move on from international cricket.
Since then, Martyn has made only occasional media or public appearances.
He briefly explored commentary roles but has largely remained outside the professional cricket landscape.
