Former Australian cricket star Damien Martyn has been admitted to hospital and is reportedly in a serious condition after falling ill on Boxing Day.
Hospitalisation and Well-Wishes
The 54-year-old, who lives in Brisbane, was rushed for medical treatment last Friday, 26 December, after becoming unwell. The specific nature of his illness has not been publicly disclosed by his family or representatives.
News of his hospitalisation prompted an outpouring of concern from the sporting community. Former Brisbane AFL player Brad Hardie sent his "thoughts and prayers" to Martyn and his family during a late-night radio broadcast on Perth's 6PR station on Tuesday.
A Distinguished Cricket Career
Martyn, a revered top-order batsman known for his elegant stroke play, represented Australia in 67 Test matches between 1992 and 2006, scoring 4,406 runs. He captained Australia at the Under-19 level before his senior debut.
He played First Class cricket for Western Australia and had spells in England's County Championship with Leicestershire and Yorkshire. He was also part of the Rajasthan Royals squad during the 2010 Indian Premier League season.
His retirement shocked the cricket world, as he stepped away from all forms of the game midway through the 2006-07 Ashes series at the age of 35, stating it was his "time to move aside".
Recent Activity and Media Profile
Just days before his hospitalisation, Martyn had taken to social media platform X on Christmas Eve to express his excitement for the iconic Boxing Day Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
"If the old brigade could play again, then this would be it," he wrote, accompanying his post with a picture of the MCG and adding: "Boxing Day test match. What a cauldron."
Following his playing career, Martyn maintained a media profile, offering his expert analysis on various television broadcasts and cricket podcasts.
The cricket community, both in Australia and internationally, now awaits further news on the condition of one of the game's most stylish former players.
