Damien Martyn (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Australian cricket great Damien Martyn has shared another encouraging news about his health after surviving a life-threatening bout of meningitis that left him in a coma late last year, saying he is grateful to be able to walk and swim again.The former Australian batsman, who featured in 67 Tests and more than 200 one-day internationals, was rushed to a Gold Coast hospital on Boxing Day after falling suddenly ill. He was diagnosed with a severe form of meningitis – a potentially fatal infection affecting the brain – and was placed in an induced coma for eight days after his condition worsened.
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A month after the terrifying episode, the 54-year-old says he is making steady progress. Martyn took to X to share an update, posting a photo from the beach and thanking everyone for the support he’s received.“I can’t believe it’s been a month since I was rushed into hospital yesterday. It’s certainly been a busy January but the love and support that continues to pour in has been overwhelming. The people who have shared their stories of having this disease and how they coped with it during and after it has helped me so much, so thank you.“I’m on the mend and looking forward to being back to my normal self. It makes you appreciate so many things to be honest. I’m so happy to be back on the beach walking and swimming,” Martyn wrote on X.His recovery has taken the sporting world by storm, prompting an outpouring of support from fellow cricketers and fans. In an earlier post – his first since returning home from hospital – Martyn revealed how close he came to losing his life.After emerging from the coma, he initially had difficulty walking and speaking, although his condition improved rapidly over the following days.“My life was out of control…when meningitis took over my brain and unbeknownst to me, I was put into a paralyzing coma for eight days to help me fight this horrible disease. After being given a 50/50 chance of survival, I came out of an induced coma 8 days later…unable to walk or talk. This experience reminded me how quickly things can change, precious time can be changed! in 2026… I’m back!” posted on X.Born in Darwin, Martyn made his Test debut aged just 21 during Australia’s 1992–93 home series against the West Indies, replacing Dean Jones. Captained Western Australia at the age of 23, he became a key figure in Australia’s formidable batting line-up at the turn of the 1990s.He amassed 4,406 Test runs at an average of 46.37, including 13 centuries, with a top score of 165 against New Zealand in 2005. In white-ball cricket, Martyn played 208 ODIs and was part of the Australian team that won the 2003 World Cup against India, scoring a brilliant 88 in the unbea final.Although his playing career is long over, Martyn is now focused on regaining his health – something he says the experience has taught him to never take for granted.
