The Albany Gazette - Australia great Martyn says he was given '50/50 chance' of survival

The 54-year-old former batsman, who played 67 Tests between 1992 and 2006 and 208 one-day internationals, was rushed to hospital on December 27 with the disease that causes swelling of membranes around the brain.

He was in a coma for eight days, but miraculously pulled through and is now back home.

In a heartfelt social media post late Saturday, Martyn said it was touch and go whether he would live and the experience was a reminder of "how fragile life is".

"After being given a 50/50 chance of surviving, I came out of the induced coma eight days later not able to walk or talk," he said.

"And yet four days after that, with the doctors in disbelief, I walked, I talked and proved to them all why I should be released from hospital to start my recovery.

"So happy to be home, to be able to put my feet in the sand on the beach and to start thanking all those people that reached out to me and my family in their unwavering support," he added.

"Bring on 2026 ... I'm back."

Known as one of the game's great strokemakers, Martyn became a key figure in Steve Waugh's all-powerful Australia 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 not out 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.

(J.Torres--TAG)