New Delhi, 17 January (H.S.): Former Australian cricket stalwart Damien Martyn shared an emotional social media post on Saturday, marking his miraculous recovery from life-threatening meningitis.

The 54-year-old cricketer wrote on X, Ready for 2026, I'm back, expressing profound gratitude to his family, friends, and well-wishers.Martyn had fallen critically ill last month. As his condition deteriorated rapidly, he was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed a diagnosis of meningitis—a severe inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

During treatment, medical personnel placed him in an induced coma for over a week to combat the perilous infection.

In his poignant post, Martyn recounted, On December 27, 2025, my life slipped from my hands when meningitis gripped my brain. I was kept in a paralyzed coma for 8 days without my knowledge, so I could fight this deadly disease—and fight I did.

He revealed that doctors had assessed his survival odds at 50-50. Upon emerging from the coma, he could neither walk nor speak, yet within merely four days, he astonished medical staff by regaining both abilities, leading to his discharge. Martyn now continues his recovery journey.

Storied International Career

Damien Martyn represented Australia from 1992 to 2006, featuring in 67 Tests, 208 One-Day Internationals, and 4 T20Is. A key pillar of Steve Waugh's dominant Test side, he earned acclaim for his elegant stroke-play, amassing 13 Test centuries at an average of 46.37.

Martyn contributed to Australia's 2003 ODI World Cup triumph, forging a match-winning unbroken 88-run partnership with Ricky Ponting in the final against India. He retired from international cricket during the 2006 Ashes series and has since maintained a low public profile.

Martyn's triumphant return after vanquishing a grave illness serves as profound inspiration for fans and the cricket fraternity alike.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar