Damien Martyn shows positive signs in induced coma after meningitis diagnosis

Former Australia batter Damien Martyn is showing positive signs while in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis, his friend and former teammate Adam Gilchrist said.

Martyn was admitted to a Gold Coast hospital after falling ill on Boxing Day and remains in a serious but stable condition. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Gilchrist said Martyn's family were grateful for the outpouring of support and that tests in the last 24 hours had produced positive indications. He thanked the public for their messages and said more details would be released as they emerge.

Several figures in cricket have sent messages of support, including former India batter VVS Laxman.

Born in Darwin, Martyn made his Test debut at 21, replacing Dean Jones in the 1992-93 home series against the West Indies and captained Western Australia at 23. He was player of the series the last time Australia won an away series in India, top-scoring in four of Australia's eight innings during the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Martyn played 67 Tests, scoring 4,406 runs at an average of 46.37 between 1992 and 2006, and 208 ODIs. His unbeaten 88 in the 2003 World Cup final, played with a broken finger, helped Australia secure victory over India.

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Sports, United States, Cricket, Meningitis, Australia, Health, Adam Gilchrist