Damien Martyn makes ‘miraculous’ recovery from life-threatening coma

Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has woken from an induced coma after being hospitalised for over a week due to meningitis, confirmed ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist.

“He has responded extraordinarily well since coming out (of the coma) to the point where his family feels it’s like some sort of miracle,’’ said Gilchrist to Code Sports.

“It has been so positive that they’re hopeful he will be able to move out of the ICU into another part of the hospital which is representative of what a great recovery it’s been and how quickly it has flipped around.’’

The 54-year-old Martyn fell ill while lying down last week and was rushed to the hospital. He was diagnosed with meningitis—an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Known as one of the game’s great stroke-makers, Martyn became a key figure in Steve Waugh’s all-powerful Australian side, hitting 13 centuries and averaging 46.37.

He was also part of the Australian team that won the 2003 ODI World Cup, cracking 88 not out in the final against India in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting.

Martyn retired in 2006 during the Ashes series and had kept a low profile since.

Published on Jan 04, 2026