Australia's cricket community is rallying around Damien Martyn after the Test great was placed into an induced coma at a Queensland hospital.
The 54-year-old former righthand batter has reportedly been battling meningitis - infection and swelling of fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
On behalf of the Martyn family, Adam Gilchrist confirmed his former Test and Western Australia teammate's sudden hospitalisation on the Gold Coast.
"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," said Greenberg.
Former Test teammate Darren Lehmann and English cricket great Michael Vaughan were among others to send Martyn their best on social media.
"Lots of love and prayers sending @damienmartyn way. Keep strong and fighting legend. Love to the family," wrote former Australia coach Lehmann.
As recently as Christmas Eve, Martyn had been active on social media expressing his excitement for the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes Test.
Speaking on 6PR radio, former Test bowler Rodney Hogg called Martyn's hospitalisation "shocking news".
"We wish him all the best," Hogg said.
Martyn's seemingly effortless stroke play was his calling card as a player, 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 battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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 during retirement but has mostly kept out of the limelight in recent years.
