Ryan Campbell still ‘critically ill’ after shock heart attack

Ryan Campbell’s family has revealed the former cricketer is still “critically ill” after suffering a heart attack on the weekend.

Ryan Campbell’s family has provided an update on his condition after the former Australian cricketer, 50, suffered a heart attack in London on the weekend.

Campbell, who played two one-day internationals in 2002, was placed in an induced coma. It was later reported doctors had successfully brought him out of the coma, but ex-wicketkeeper-batter is still “critically ill”.

“Ryan suffered a series of cardiac arrests last weekend and remains critically ill in the Royal Stoke University Hospital in the UK where he is being closely monitored 24 hours a day,” his family’s statement read.

“It is impossible to state our gratitude to the truly incredible staff at the hospital whose skill, care and compassion knows no bounds.

“The family would like to take this opportunity to thank all of his friends and supporters around the world for their love and support. As we are sure you can understand it is impossible to respond to all of the messages but we truly appreciate you keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

“We will update you again when we have more news but, in the meantime, we would be grateful if you could give the family some privacy at this immensely difficult time.”

Campbell pioneered the ramp shot Photo: Jackson Flindell.

Campbell, who coaches the Netherlands’ national cricket team, recently visited Perth and was with his children at a playground in London on Saturday when he began feeling unwell and had to lie down, 6PR’s Gareth Parker first reported this week.

A passer-by attempted to help Campbell and performed CPR, before he was taken to hospital and placed in an induced coma.

Campbell had a pulse when paramedics arrived about 15 minutes later and has been in hospital since.

Campbell took to Instagram recently to share several photos from his recent visit to Perth, having been locked out for an extended period due to Covid border closures.

“It feels like I haven’t been home forever but the seven days with family and friends was awesome …. Thanks Perth,” he wrote.

Earlier this week Campbell’s brother Mark told Triple M: “They’re saying that there doesn’t appear at this stage to be any brain damage, his brain wasn’t starved of oxygen. So that looks OK.

“They’re not sure now why his heart is still being arrhythmic. So that’s another issue that they’re now going to look at over there.”

Ryan Campbell got his chance to play for Australia.

Campbell was Western Australia’s long-term wicketkeeper and would have played more for Australia but Adam Gilchrist, a once-in-a-generation keeper-batter, was firmly entrenched in the national team.

The 50-year-old played 98 first-class games and made 105 List A appearances across a long career.

Campbell’s health drama comes after cricketing legend Shane Warne died last month from a suspected heart attack while on holiday on Koh Samui Island in Thailand.