‘Keep strong’: Cricket rallies around Aussie legend
Australia’s cricket community is rallying around a cricket great who has been hospitalised suddenly in Brisbane.
Australia’s cricket community is rallying around Damien Martyn after the Test great was placed into an induced coma at a Queensland hospital.
The 54-year-old former righthand batter has reportedly been battling meningitis – infection and swelling of fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
On behalf of the Martyn family, Adam Gilchrist confirmed his former Test and Western Australia teammate’s sudden hospitalisation on the Gold Coast.
“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.
Chief executive Todd Greenberg wished Martyn a quick recovery on behalf of Cricket Australia.
You might like
“I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness. The best wishes of everyone at CA and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time,” said Greenberg.
Former Test teammate Darren Lehmann and English cricket great Michael Vaughan were among those to send Martyn their best on social media.
“Lots of love and prayers sending Damien Martyn’s way. Keep strong and fighting legend. Love to the family,” former Australia coach Lehmann wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Former Test bowler Rodney Hogg said Martyn’s hospitalisation was “shocking news”.
Stay informed, daily
“We wish him all the best,” the former Australian paceman told 6PR radio in Perth.
Veteran sports broadcaster Jim Wilson was among others to send Martyn their best on social media.
Martyn’s seemingly effortless stroke play was his calling card, averaging 46.37 with the bat across 67 Tests for Australia.
Born in Darwin, the right-hander earned a Test debut at 21 replacing the late Dean Jones in the 1992/93 home series against West Indies and was Western Australia’s captain at 23.
His high score of 165 came against New Zealand in 2005, one of 13 Test centuries Martyn made in the baggy green.
Martyn played his final Test at Adelaide Oval in the 2006/07 Ashes series before dabbling in commentary.
He played 208 ODIs, averaging 40.8. He was part of Australia’s squad that won the 2003 World Cup, scoring an unbeaten 88 in the final against India.
-AAP
