Former Australia cricketer Ryan Campbell in coma after suffering heart-attack

Former Australia ODI wicket-keeper and Netherlands coach Ryan Campbell is in coma and fighting for his life in a London hospital after suffering a heart attack on Saturday. 

Campbell, 50, was at a playground with his children when he collapsed, his close friend and 6PR Breakfast host Gareth Parker revealed. He was still unresponsive in hospital, though had made attempts to breathe on his own, according to Parker.

“As of 45 minutes ago he was still unresponsive, although under the care of his doctors he has made some attempts successfully to breathe on his own,” an emotional Parker said on 6PR.

“This news is a real shock to his family and friends back home in Australia, who learned about it on Easter Sunday.”

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Ryan Campbell played in absence of Adam Gilchrist

The former wicket-keeper featured in two ODIs for Australia when the legendary Adam Gilchrisht missed out due to the birth of his son. He was a fine gloveman but couldn’t find a place for the national team regularly in the golden era of Australian cricket. 

Campbell played first class cricket from 1994 and 2006; scoring 6009 runs at an average of 36.31 for Western Australia. 

“WA Cricket is in shock to hear of Ryan’s medical emergency after suffering a major heart attack over the long weekend,” Matthews said.

“On behalf of all WA Cricket staff, players and the wider cricket community, I would like to pass on our heartfelt thoughts to Ryan, his wife Leontina and their family at this time.

“We know he is in the best care, and hope he pulls through and is able to make a full and speedy recovery.”

He featured for Hong Kong during the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup at the age of 44.

Later, he, took over as the coach of the Netherlands from 2017.