A plethora of cricketers, both past and present, have wished former Australia batsman Damien Martyn a speedy recovery after news emerged of his hospitalisation. Martyn, 54, has been placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis, according to local media reports.
Martyn had been keeping a low profile of late, although he had been actively posting about the ongoing Ashes on his social media handles. His last post was on Christmas eve looking forward to the Boxing Day Test. Martyn was taken ill in a hospital in Brisbane on the first day of the match.
A number of former cricketers wished Martyn for a speedy recovery on social media:
Thoughts are with @damienmartyn
Prayers to see him bounce back??
— Ashwin ???? (@ashwinravi99) December 31, 2025
Sending strength and prayers to my dear friend @damienmartyn and his family. Wishing him a full and speedy recovery. The entire cricket world stands with you Matto during this tough time????
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 31, 2025
All our thoughts are with you @damienmartyn x
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 31, 2025
Lots of love and prayers sending @damienmartyn way . Keep strong and fighting legend . Love to the family xxx ?? ??
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) December 30, 2025
Meanwhile, there were some who paid tribute via other media. Speaking on 6PR radio, former Test bowler Rodney Hogg called Martyn’s hospitalisation “shocking news”. “We wish him all the best,” the former Australian paceman said. Martyn’s former Australia teammate and close friend Adam Gilchrist said on News Corp that he is getting “the best of treatment”. “He is getting the best of treatment and [Martyn’s partner] Amanda and his family know that a lot of people are sending their prayers and best wishes,” Gilchrist said.
Martyn was part of Ricky Ponting’s world-beating Australian side that won the 2003 World Cup. He played 67 Tests for Australia from 1992 to 2006, scoring 4406 runs at 46.37 including 13 centuries. Martyn also played 208 ODIs, forming a lethal opening partnership with Matthew Hayden. He scored 5346 runs in the format at an average of 40.80 with five centuries and 37 half-centuries.
