Australia’s cricket community is rallying around Damien Martyn after the Test great was hospitalised suddenly in Brisbane.

The 54-year-old former righthand batter has fallen ill in recent days, reportedly being placed in an induced coma amid a battle with meningitis.

Adam Gilchrist confirmed his former Test and Western Australia teammate’s hospitalisation in a statement on behalf of the Martyn family.

“He is getting the best of treatment and [Martyn’s partner] Amanda and his family know that a lot of people are sending their prayers and best wishes,” Gilchrist said.

Chief executive Todd Greenberg wished Martyn a quick recovery on behalf of Cricket Australia.

“I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness. The best wishes of everyone at CA and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time,” he said.

Former Test teammate Darren Lehmann and veteran sports broadcaster Jim Wilson were among others to send Martyn their best on social media.

“Lots of love and prayers sending Damien Martyn’s way. Keep strong and fighting legend. Love to the family,” Lehmann wrote on X.

Former Test bowler Rodney Hogg said Martyn’s hospitalisation was “shocking news”.

“We wish him all the best,” the former Australian paceman told 6PR radio in Perth.

Veteran sports broadcaster Jim Wilson was among others to send Martyn their best on social media.

Martyn’s seemingly effortless stroke play was his calling card, averaging 46.37 with the bat across 67 Tests for Australia.

Born in Darwin, the right-hander earned a Test debut at 21 replacing the late Dean Jones in the 1992/93 home series against West Indies and was Western Australia’s captain at 23.

He was player of the series the last time Australia won an away series in India, topscoring in four of Australia’s eight innings at the crease in the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy battle.

His Test high score of 165 came against New Zealand in 2005, one of 13 Test centuries Martyn made in the baggy green.

Martyn retired from Test cricket midway through the 2006/07 Ashes series, playing his final match at the Adelaide Oval that summer.

Martyn also played 208 ODIs, averaging 40.8 and scoring an unbeaten 88 runs as Australia defeated India in the final of the 2003 World Cup.

He dabbled in commentary in retirement but has mostly kept out of the limelight in recent years.

-AAP