Damien Martyn Recovers from Severe Meningitis

Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has announced his recovery from a severe case of meningitis, revealing he is back home after an induced coma that left him with a 50 percent chance of survival. The 54-year-old, hospitalized on December 27, 2025, at Gold Coast University Hospital in Queensland, shared his story in a social media post on January 17, 2026, expressing gratitude to supporters and reflecting on the ordeal's lessons.

Martyn described how the illness, an infection causing inflammation and swelling of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord, suddenly overwhelmed him. "On the 27th of December 2025 my life was taken out of my hands when meningitis took over my brain, and unbeknownst to me I was placed into a paralysed coma for eight days to help me fight this awful disease," he wrote. After emerging from the coma, he was initially unable to walk or talk. However, just four days later, he regained those abilities, astonishing medical staff and paving the way for his discharge to continue recovery at home.

The rapid progress exceeded expectations, with Martyn noting the doctors' disbelief at his resilience. He credited the care from paramedics at...