Former Australian player Damien Martyn in hospital in a coma

Former Australian cricket team's star middle-order batsman, Damien Martyn, has been hospitalized and placed in a coma due to a Meningitis condition. The 54-year-old reportedly fell ill suddenly on Boxing Day (December 26) and is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Queensland.

He has commenced urgent medical treatment for this condition, which is a bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Speaking on behalf of Martyn's family and friends, his close friend and former teammate Adam Gilchrist confirmed that Martyn is currently receiving the best possible treatment in the hospital. Gilchrist further stated that Martyn's partner Amanda and other family members are deeply distressed at this moment, and they are aware of the many messages wishing him a speedy recovery. Australian media reports that doctors expect to bring him out of the coma in the next few days.

Upon hearing this news, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg issued a statement expressing his deep sadness regarding Damien's condition and stating that the entire cricket community's blessings are with him at this moment. Additionally, former Australian player Darren Lehmann posted a message on the 'X' social media platform, saying "Keep fighting legend" and wishing him strength, while former football star Brad Hardie mentioned that Martyn is currently fighting for his life.

Martyn, who represented the Australian Test team from 1992 to 2006, played 67 Test matches and scored 4406 runs at an average of 46.37. A crucial member of the strong Australian team led by Steve Waugh in the early 2000s, he suddenly decided to retire from international cricket during the 2006-07 Ashes series. A few days before falling ill, he had also posted a message on social media about this year's Boxing Day Test match.

Martyn also showed special prowess in the ODI arena, participating in 208 matches and scoring 5346 runs, including 5 centuries and 37 half-centuries. He contributed to two World Cup victories for Australia, notably playing with a fractured finger against India in the 2003 World Cup final, scoring an unbeaten 88 runs and making an excellent contribution to secure victory for the team.