Former teammate Adam Gilchrist has provided an update on Damien Martyn, who was hospitalised in an induced coma with meningitis.

The 54-year-old Martyn, who played 67 Tests for Australia between 1992 and 2006 and 208 ODIs, fell ill while lying down last week and was rushed to hospital.

He was diagnosed with meningitis – an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

“Thank you everyone for the heartfelt love and wishes and care for Damien as he goes through a challenging time,” fellow Test great Gilchrist said during a BBL game on Thursday evening.

“He’s still in hospital. There’ll be more details coming out as they come to hand but certainly in the last 24 hours some positive signs are the indications coming out of the various tests he’s having.”

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A who’s who of cricket greats have posted messages of support, including former England captain Michael Vaughan and Indian legends Ravichandran Ashwin and VVS Laxman.

Known as one of the game’s great strokemakers, Martyn became a key figure in Steve Waugh’s all-powerful Australian side, hitting 13 centuries and averaging 46.37.

He was also part of the Australia team that won the 2003 ODI World Cup, cracking 88* in the final against India in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting.

Martyn retired in 2006 during the Ashes series and had kept a low profile since.

– AFP

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