Damien Martyn confirms he had only a 50-50 chance

Damien Martyn

Former Australia batter Damien Martyn says he was given a 50/50 chance of surviving the meningitis that led to him being put in an induced coma last month.

The 54-year-old, who played 67 Test matches between 1992 and 2006, fell ill in late December and spent eight days in an induced coma.

Martyn, who woke from the coma last week, has left hospital and posted a statement on Saturday, external thanking those who treated him and offered support.

“On the 27th of December 2025 my life was taken out of my hands when meningitis took over my brain,” said Martyn.
“Unbeknownst to me, I was placed into a paralysed coma 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 eight days later not able to walk or talk. And yet four 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.”

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can come on suddenly and kill within hours if not treated quickly.

“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 added, posting a photo of himself on the beach alongside his statement.

“This experience has reminded me of how fragile life is, how quickly everything can change and how precious time is!
“There are so many wonderful people in this world, from paramedics (at Mermaid Waters Ambulance), doctors and nurses (at Gold Coast University Hospital) to family, friends and people I didn’t even know.

(BBC sport)