Damian Martin: The former Australian batsman had a ’50/50′ chance of survival

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can come on suddenly and kill within hours if not treated quickly.

“So happy to be back home, to be able to put my feet in the sand at the beach and start thanking all those people who have reached out to me and my family for their unwavering support,” Martin added, posting a photo of himself on the beach alongside his statement.

“This experience reminded me how fragile life is, how quickly everything changes, and how valuable time is!

“There are so many amazing people in this world, from the paramedics (at Mermaid Waters Ambulance), doctors and nurses (at Gold Coast University Hospital) to family, friends and people I didn’t even know.

“I feel like I’ve met all these amazing people in the last three weeks, or reached out to me with messages of love and support. I’m so grateful to you all. Thank you! Bring on 2026. I’m back!”

Martyn, who made his Test debut at the age of 21, played in four Ashes series and scored 4,406 Test scores, including 13 centuries, at an average of 46.37 before his retirement in 2006.

He also won two One-Day World Cups, and during the 2003 World Cup final, Martyn – batting with a broken finger – scored an unbeaten 88 as Australia defeated India.

Overall in ODIs, he scored 5,346 runs at an average of 40, with five hundreds.

He also represented Yorkshire as an overseas player in 2003.