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Damien Martyn's Meningitis Battle: 50/50 Survival Odds to Walking in Days

Australian cricket great Damien Martyn has been discharged from the hospital after a serious bout of meningitis that began on Boxing Day. He was placed in an induced coma for eight days and was given only a 50/50 chance of survival. Remarkably, just four days after waking, he was walking and talking, astounding his doctors. Martyn reflected that the ordeal reminded him of how fragile and precious life truly is.

Key Points: Damien Martyn Survives Meningitis, Shares Health Update

  • Woke from 8-day induced coma
  • Given 50/50 chance of survival
  • Started walking and talking days later
  • Instrumental in 2003 World Cup win
  • Reminded of life's fragility
3 min read

'50/50 chance of surviving reminded me of how fragile life is': Damien Martyn on meningitis battle

Australian cricket legend Damien Martyn details his fight with meningitis, an induced coma, and his remarkable recovery, calling life "fragile."

"This experience has reminded me of how fragile life is, how quickly everything can change & how precious time is! - Damien Martyn"

New Delhi, Jan 17

After being discharged from the hospital following a bout of meningitis, Australian cricket great Damien Martyn shared a health update, saying he has started walking after "life was taken out of my hands when meningitis took over my brain."

Martyn, who represented Australia in 67 Test matches, fell ill with meningitis on Boxing Day and was taken to hospital on the Gold Coast late last month, where he was placed in an induced coma. He woke from the coma earlier this month, began speaking again, and was discharged from hospital.

"On the 27th of December 2025 my life was taken out of my hands...when meningitis took over my brain, & unbeknownst to me I was placed into a paralysed coma for 8 days to help me fight this awful disease. And that I did! Fight that is!....

"After being given a 50/50 chance of surviving, I came out of the induced coma 8 days later...not able to walk or talk. And yet 4 days after that, with the doctors in disbelief, I walked, I talked and proved to them all why I should be released from hospital to start my recovery," Martyn shared in a social media post.

"So happy to be home, to be able to put my feet in the sand on the beach and to start thanking all those people that reached out to me and my family in their unwavering support. This experience has reminded me of how fragile life is, how quickly everything can change & how precious time is!" the post further read.

"There are so many wonderful people in this world ... from paramedics (at Mermaid Waters Ambulance), doctors & nurses (at Gold Coast University Hospital) ... to family, friends and people I didn't even know. I feel like I met all these fantastic people in the past 3 weeks, or they reached out to me through messages of love and support," he conlcuded.

Martyn was instrumental in Australia's 2003 ODI World Cup final victory over India, scoring an unbeaten 88 despite batting with a broken finger and forming a crucial 234-run partnership with captain Ricky Ponting.

He was part of the side that also won the 1999 ODI World Cup and the 2006 Champions Trophy. Throughout his career, Martyn scored 4,406 runs in Test matches at an average of 46.37.

Martyn also played 208 ODIs, scoring 5,346 runs at 40.90, with a top score of 144 not out. He made a famous 88 not out in the 2003 World Cup final, batting with a broken finger and sharing an epic partnership with captain Ricky Ponting as Australia beat India.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
His story about the doctors being in disbelief when he walked just days later shows incredible willpower. The same determination he showed on the cricket field. Health truly is the greatest wealth. Get well soon, Damien!
A
Ananya R
It's stories like these that put everything in perspective. We get so caught up in daily stresses. His gratitude for the medical staff and community support is touching. Also, a respectful note to the article - it mentions the 2003 final partnership twice, maybe a small edit could avoid the repetition.
V
Vikram M
As someone who lost a relative to meningitis, this hits close to home. It's a brutal disease. Martyn is incredibly lucky to have survived and recovered so quickly. Hats off to the medical team at Gold Coast University Hospital. This is a wake-up call for all of us to not take our health for granted.
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Michael C
That 88 in the final was a masterclass, even though it was against India. True champions fight on and off the field. Wishing him all the best for his recovery journey.
P
Priya S
His message about precious time is so true. We often forget in the daily grind. Thank you for sharing this update. More power to him! ❤️

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