Australian cricketer Damien Martin is reportedly in a coma in a Queensland hospital.
The 54-year-old was rushed to hospital after falling ill at home on Friday.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he has been diagnosed with meningitis.
The disease can cause swelling in the brain, and doctors have put him in a coma.
Former Australian football star Brad Hardy made the announcement on his 6PR radio show.
“Western Australian Damien Martin, the great batsman … unfortunately fell ill on Boxing Day and is currently in a Queensland hospital, fighting for his life. I wish everyone good luck for him, and I hope he gets those positive thoughts. May God give him strength,” Hardy said.
Former Australian Test player Rodney Hogg told The Radio Show, “It’s shocking news.”
Martin, 54, is a former player who played some exceptional innings for Australia in both one-day and test cricket.
He helped the national team win the 1999 and 2003 ODI World Cups, and was the man of the match in the final of the tournament in 2003, scoring an unbeaten 88 against India.
He retired abruptly in the middle of the 2006–07 Ashes and has remained relatively low profile since then.
Martin played 67 Tests and 208 One Day Internationals, as well as four Twenty20 Internationals for Australia.
He averaged 46.37 in Tests and 40.80 in ODIs, and was known as one of the most entertaining batsmen of his era.
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