CRICKET – FORMER Australia batter Damien Martyn has been placed into an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis, reports BBC.
The 54-year-old, who played 67 Test matches between 1992 and 2006, reportedly fell ill on December 26 and is in a hospital in Queensland.
Martyn played in four Ashes series – retiring with immediate effect before the third Test of the 2006-07 series – and won two World Cups with Australia.
Speaking on behalf of the Martyn family, close friend and ex-Australia team-mate Adam Gilchrist confirmed that the right-hander was receiving treatment in hospital.
“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,” said the former wicketkeeper.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported it was hoped Martyn could be brought out of his coma in the coming days.
During his career, Martyn scored 4,406 Test runs at an average of 46.37.
He was also a prolific one-day international batter, scoring 5,346 runs from 208 matches at an average of 40, with five hundreds and 37 fifties.
He scored an unbeaten 88 as Australia beat India in the 2003 World Cup final despite batting with a broken finger, and represented Yorkshire as an overseas player in 2003.
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