Former Australia batter Damien Martyn “Miraculously” comes out of coma, likely to get out of ICU
Former Australia batter Damien Martyn has shown significant improvement after being treated for meningitis, with doctors bringing him out of an induced coma, offering relief to his family, friends and the cricketing fraternity.
The positive update was shared by close friend and former teammate Adam Gilchrist, who has been in regular contact with Martyn’s partner, Amanda, and his family. Martyn is currently undergoing treatment at the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he was admitted after falling ill on Boxing Day.
Speaking to Code Sports, Gilchrist said Martyn’s recovery over the past day has been remarkable. He said Martyn responded extremely well after being brought out of the coma, adding that the turnaround had been so encouraging that doctors and family members are hopeful he can soon be shifted out of the intensive care unit.
Gilchrist said the family described the improvement as nothing short of extraordinary, noting that the speed of recovery had surprised everyone involved. He added that the move out of ICU, if it happens, would mark a major step forward in Martyn’s recovery, though he will continue to remain under close medical supervision.
“He has responded extraordinarily well since morning out (of the coma) to the point where his family feels it is like some sort of miracle,” Gilchrist said on Code Sports.
According to Gilchrist, Martyn’s partner Amanda has expressed gratitude for the support the family has received. She conveyed that the messages of goodwill, concern and solidarity from across the world had a profound emotional impact during a difficult period. Gilchrist said the family believes the collective support and care shown by fans, former teammates and the wider public played a role in lifting spirits during the crisis.
In a statement issued to the Courier Mail, the Martyn family thanked the public for the overwhelming support and acknowledged the efforts of the medical team at Gold Coast University Hospital. They described the past days as extremely challenging and requested privacy as Martyn continues his treatment and recovery.
Meningitis is a serious condition involving inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and can lead to dangerous swelling if not treated promptly. Doctors had placed Martyn in an induced coma as part of the treatment protocol.
Martyn, 54, is regarded as one of the key figures of Australia’s golden era in international cricket. He represented the country in 67 Test matches and 208 one-day internationals between 1992 and 2006, scoring 4,406 Test runs at an average of 46.36 and 5,346 ODI runs at 40.90. He was part of Australia’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad and is particularly remembered for his unbeaten 88 in the final against India.
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No nation can progress unless small traders are protected: Arvind Kejriwal
Chandigarh (PTI): No nation can progress unless small shopkeepers and traders are protected and given ease of doing business, Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday.
Kejriwal made the remarks while addressing the maiden meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission in Mohali, where he was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The former Delhi chief minister said that through the commission, local markets will be upgraded, and long-pending small issues of shopkeepers will be resolved.
He said the purpose of the commission is to make the tax system simpler, more transparent, and trader-friendly.
"Till now, in our country, traders and businessmen have been viewed with a very negative mindset. No matter which government or which party ruled, everyone treated traders as thieves," Kejriwal said.
"I pray that one day our government is formed at the Centre and we free you from GST. There is a kind of tax terrorism going on," he said.
Kejriwal termed the traders also a victim of politicians, who, he said, only remember them during elections and then, once in power, to extort money till the next election.
"I come from a trading family. I understand the pain and suffering of a trader. You may remember how, as children, we used to go to the village during summer holidays. My uncle there had a grocery shop at the bus stand. During summer vacations, many times I would manage the entire shop alone for days. I understand the pain of a shopkeeper," he said.
The AAP leader said the governments always talk about big investments everywhere. "But no one ever paid attention to the small shopkeeper running a grocery store, a clothing shop, a bread shop, a tile shop, or shops in small markets."
Attacking the rival parties in Punjab, he said that after their run was over, neither the Akali Dal nor the Congress would have dared to go among the public and seek honest feedback.
"After four years, they would face such abuse that I do not think the Congress government would have had the courage to pass around a microphone in a public gathering and say, speak whatever you want … If it had happened during the Akali Dal government, the microphone would not have returned," he said.
