So happy to just get back on the beach: Martyn on road to recovery

Australian cricket great Damien Martyn has shared another encouraging update on his recovery after surviving a life-threatening bout of meningitis that left him in an induced coma late last year, saying he is grateful to be able to walk and swim again.

The former Australia batter was rushed to a hospital on the Gold Coast on Boxing Day after falling suddenly ill. Doctors diagnosed him with a severe form of meningitis, a dangerous infection that affects the brain, and as his condition deteriorated, Martyn was placed in a medically induced coma for eight days.

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A month on from the scare, the 54-year-old says his health is steadily improving. Posting a photograph from the beach on social media, Martyn reflected on the ordeal and thanked those who supported him through the difficult period.

“I can’t believe it’s been a month from yesterday that I was rushed to hospital. It’s certainly been an eventful January, but the love and support still pouring in has been overwhelming. To the people who have shared their stories of having this disease and how they coped during and after, it has helped me immensely, so I thank you.

“I’m on the mend and looking forward to getting back to my normal self. To be honest, it makes you appreciate so many things. I’m so happy to just get back on the beach, have a walk, and swim,” Martyn wrote.

His recovery has struck a chord across the cricketing world, with former players and fans alike sending messages of encouragement. In an earlier post, his first after returning home from the hospital, Martyn revealed just how close he came to losing his life.

After emerging from the coma, he was initially unable to walk or speak, though his condition improved rapidly in the days that followed. “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. 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. This experience has reminded me of how fragile life is, how quickly everything can change and how precious time is! Bring on 2026… I’m back!” he had posted.

Born in Darwin, Martyn made his Test debut at just 21 during Australia’s 1992–93 home series against the West Indies, replacing Dean Jones in the side. He went on to captain Western Australia at the age of 23 and became a key figure in Australia’s formidable batting line-up during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Martyn finished his Test career with 4,406 runs from 67 matches at an average of 46.37, including 13 centuries. His highest score of 165 came against New Zealand in 2005. In one-day internationals, he represented Australia 208 times and was part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2003, playing a decisive role with an unbeaten 88 in the final against India.