New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) After being released from the hospital following a serious battle with meningitis, Australian cricket legend Damien Martyn provided a health update, revealing that he has begun to walk again after “my life was stripped away when meningitis affected my brain.”

Martyn, who played for Australia in 67 Test matches, became ill with meningitis on Boxing Day and was admitted to a hospital on the Gold Coast late last month, where he was placed in an induced coma. He emerged from the coma earlier this month, began to speak again, and was finally discharged from the hospital.

“On December 27, 2025, my life was taken out of my hands… when meningitis invaded my brain, and without my knowledge, I was put into a paralyzed coma for 8 days to aid my fight against this dreadful disease. And fight I did! …

“After being given a 50/50 chance of surviving, I woke up from the induced coma after 8 days… unable to walk or talk. But just 4 days later, to the astonishment of the doctors, I was walking and talking, proving to them why I should be allowed to leave the hospital to begin my recovery,” Martyn shared on social media.

“I’m thrilled to be home, to feel the sand beneath my feet on the beach, and to begin expressing my gratitude to everyone who reached out to me and my family with their steadfast support. This experience has made me realize how fragile life is, how swiftly everything can change, and how valuable time is!” the post continued.

“There are countless wonderful individuals in this world … from the paramedics at Mermaid Waters Ambulance, to the doctors and nurses at Gold Coast University Hospital … to family, friends, and even people I had never met. I feel as though I encountered all these amazing people over the past 3 weeks, or they connected with me through their messages of love and support,” he concluded.

Martyn played a crucial role in Australia's 2003 ODI World Cup final victory over India, scoring an unbeaten 88 even while battling a broken finger and forming a significant 234-run partnership with captain Ricky Ponting.

He was also part of the team that claimed victory in the 1999 ODI World Cup and the 2006 Champions Trophy. Over his career, Martyn tallied 4,406 runs in Test matches with an average of 46.37.

Additionally, he participated in 208 ODIs, amassing 5,346 runs at an average of 40.90, with a top score of 144 not out. He famously scored 88 not out in the World Cup final of 2003, playing through a broken finger and creating a legendary partnership with captain Ricky Ponting as Australia triumphed over India.