Australian cricket great Damien Martyn was reportedly rushed to hospital after falling ill on Boxing Day.
The 54-year-old former batsman, who played 67 Tests and was an ODI World Cup winner, went to lie down after feeling sick and is now in a serious condition in a Brisbane hospital. The illness has not been named.
Brad Hardie, the 1985 Brownlow Medallist, announced Martyn’s plight on Perth’s 6PR radio.
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“Damien Martyn, the champ from WA, fantastic batsman … unfortunately took ill on Boxing Day and currently is residing in a Queensland hospital and he is in for the fight of his life,” Hardie said.
“I’d like everybody to certainly have their best wishes and positive thoughts for Marto. God give him strength.
“Let’s hope he can pull through because it’s really serious.”
Former Australian Test cricketer Rodney Hogg added: “We wish him all the best. That’s shocking news.”
Martyn was born in Darwin, grew up in Perth and starred playing for Western Australia. He now lives on the Gold Coast.
He was an elegant right-hand batter who made 4,406 Test runs for Australia at an average of 46.37, with a best of 165 among 13 centuries.
He also played 208 ODIs for 5,346 runs at 40.90, with a highest score of 144* from five tons.
Though he has dabbled in commentary, he has reportedly kept his distance from cricket in retirement, rarely attending functions.
He made a startling exit from cricket midway through the 2006/07 Ashes, retiring abruptly after the second Test in Adelaide — one of Australia’s most famous wins over England.
He has never lost his passion for cricket. On Christmas Eve, he replied on X to a picture of the MCG lying in wait for the Boxing Day Test, saying: “If the old brigade could play again then this would be it. Boxing Day test match. What a cauldron.”
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