Damien Martyn returns home from an induced coma, says given a 50-50 chance of surviving

After escaping a meningitis scare that he claimed could have taken his life, Damien Martyn has announced his return. After fighting the illness, which results in an infection and swelling of fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, the former Australian batter revealed in a moving statement on his social media pages that he was given a 50% chance of survival.

In his first public remarks since becoming seriously ill with meningitis, former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn tweeted, "I'm back," as part of a social media post that was equal parts a positive health update and a thank-you note.

“On the 27th of December 2025 my life was taken out of my hands…when meningitis took over my brain, & unbeknownst to me I was placed into a paralysed coma for 8 days to help me fight this awful disease. And that I did! Fight that is!”, said Martyn on his X account.

He then said, “After being given a 50/50 chance of surviving, I came out of the induced coma 8 days later…not able to walk or talk. And yet 4 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.”

Martyn was placed in an induced coma shortly after becoming ill on Boxing Day. Although things didn't seem promising at the time, on January 4, a close friend and former teammate, Adam Gilchrist, described "an unbelievable turn of events in the last 48 hours"—doctors were prepared to release Martyn from critical care following a positive change.

And there was an equally strong outpouring of relief upon learning of the 57-year-old's incredible recovery. Only eight days later, Martyn emerged from the coma and went home four days later.

In the 2003 World Cup final, Martyn, batting with a fractured finger, hit an undefeated 88 to help Australia upset India. He also won two one-day World Cups. He amassed 5,346 runs at an average of 40 in ODIs, including five hundreds.

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