'Positive signs': Adam Gilchrist shares update as Damien Martyn battles meningitis in hospital

Former Australian Test batter Damien Martyn is showing encouraging signs of recovery after being hospitalised in an induced coma while battling meningitis, according to ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The 54-year-old, one of the most elegant batters of Australia’s golden era, was rushed to hospital last week after falling ill while resting at home. He was later diagnosed with meningitis, a serious condition involving inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and placed in an induced coma at a Queensland hospital.




Providing an update during a Big Bash League broadcast on Thursday evening, Gilchrist said there had been welcome developments in Martyn’s condition over the past 24 hours.

“Thank you everyone for the heartfelt love and wishes and care for Damien as he goes through a challenging time,” Gilchrist said. “He’s still in hospital. There’ll be more details coming 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 added that the outpouring of support from across the cricketing world had been immense. “There has been so much interest and love. A fine player, terrific fella. I just hope he can continue his recovery.”


A spokesperson from Gold Coast Health confirmed earlier this week that Martyn remains in a serious condition at Gold Coast University Hospital.

Tributes and messages of support have poured in from former teammates and rivals alike, including Michael Vaughan, Ravichandran Ashwin and VVS Laxman, underlining Martyn’s standing across generations and nations.

Martyn played 67 Tests and 208 ODIs for Australia between 1992 and 2006, scoring 4,406 Test runs at an average of 46.37, alongside 5,346 ODI runs. Renowned as one of the game’s great stroke-makers and finishers, he was a key cog in Steve Waugh’s dominant Australian side.