Australian cricket legend Damien Martyn has shared harrowing details of a recent near-death experience, revealing he was given only a 50/50 chance of survival after a sudden meningitis diagnosis.
A Sudden and Severe Health Crisis
The West Australian sporting great, a veteran of 67 Tests for Australia, fell critically ill on Boxing Day 2025. He was rushed to hospital where doctors diagnosed him with meningitis, a serious inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes.
To help his body fight the aggressive infection, medical teams made the drastic decision to place the 57-year-old into a paralysed, induced coma for eight days. Martyn described the moment his life was taken out of his hands in a heartfelt Instagram post published on Saturday.
A Fight for Survival and a Stunning Recovery
"On the 27th of December 2025, my life was taken out of my hands…when meningitis took over my brain," Martyn wrote. He acknowledged he was unaware of being placed in the coma at the time, crediting the medical intervention with helping him battle the disease.
Emerging from the coma after the eight-day period, Martyn faced significant challenges. He was unable to walk or talk. Yet, in a turn of events that left his doctors in disbelief, he managed to walk and talk just four days later. This rapid progress proved pivotal in his early release from hospital to begin recovery at home earlier this month.
A New Perspective and Heartfelt Thanks
The frightening episode has given the former batsman a renewed outlook. "This experience has reminded me of how fragile life is, how quickly everything can change & how precious time is!" he reflected.
Martyn paid deep tribute to the doctors and nurses who saved his life and expressed immense gratitude for the wave of public support. His health scare prompted an outpouring of concern from the sporting community, including former teammates like Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer.
"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," Martyn said. "I am so grateful to you all. Thank you!"
Now recovering at home, Martyn's story stands as a powerful testament to both modern medicine and personal resilience, captivating fans across Australia and the cricketing world.
