Former Australia batter Damien Martyn has been placed into an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis.

The 54-year-old, who played 67 Test matches between 1992 and 2006, reportedly fell ill on 26 December and is in a hospital in Queensland.

Martyn played in four Ashes series and won two World Cups with Australia. His contributions to cricket are widely recognized, especially his unforgettable innings in the 2003 World Cup final.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed sadness over the news and wished Martyn a quick recovery, with support coming from the broader cricket community.

A close friend and former teammate, Adam Gilchrist, reassured fans that Martyn is receiving top-notch care in the hospital.

Former Australian Rules football star Brad Hardie urged everyone to send their positive thoughts for Martyn, highlighting the seriousness of his condition.

Martyn’s remarkable statistic includes an average of 46.37 runs in Test cricket and numerous records in one-day internationals, making him a legend in Australian cricket.