Advertisement

Ryan Campbell's devastating plight just weeks after Shane Warne tragedy

Ryan Campbell and Shane Warne, pictured here in 2021.
Ryan Campbell's heart attack came just six weeks after Shane Warne's tragic death. Image: Getty

Still grieving the loss of Shane Warne, the Australian cricket community was rocked by more devastating news on Tuesday after Ryan Campbell's heart attack.

The former ODI wicketkeeper suffered a serious heart attack while at a playground with his children in London and is now in intensive care in hospital.

'GET WELL SOON': Cricket fans rocked by sad Mitch Marsh news

'THIS IS INSANE': Pat Cummins at centre of brutal IPL moment

"WA Cricket is in shock to hear of Ryan's medical emergency after suffering a major heart attack over the long weekend," Western Australian Cricket Association boss Christina Matthews said in a statement.

"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."

The news comes just six weeks after the tragic death of Warne at 52, who also suffered a heart attack in Thailand.

Australian cricket was also rocked by the death of wicketkeeping great Rod Marsh at 75, who died less than 24 hours before Warne.

Altogether it has been a devastating six months for the Australian cricket community, with Test greats Peter Philpott, Ashley Mallett and Alan Davidson all passing away last November.

South Australia Cricket CEO Keith Bradshaw also died in November at 58.

Ryan Campbell out of coma in London hospital

Campbell's brother Mark shared a positive update on Wednesday, saying the cricketer had woken from an induced coma.

"They've taken the heavy sedation off, so he's actually woken up," Mark Campbell told Triple M radio.

"Now they're just look at trying to work out what's wrong with his heart.

"He did a few tests and they're saying there doesn't appear at this stage to be any brain damage, his brain wasn't starved of oxygen.

"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.

"He's been in intensive care since Saturday night.

"His wife is there with him and one of his friends from Hong Kong has flown to be there."

Ryan Campbell, pictured here in action for Australia in an ODI against New Zealand in 2002.
Ryan Campbell in action for Australia in an ODI against New Zealand in 2002. (Image: Nick Wilson/Getty Images)

Campbell played two ODIs for Australia in 2002, filling in when Adam Gilchrist was absent to spend time with his newborn son.

A swashbuckling batter and a solid gloveman, Campbell was a victim of Australia's golden era during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

During an illustrious 98-game first-class career between 1994 and 2006, Campbell starred for Western Australia with 6009 runs at an average of 36.31.

He played for Hong Kong during the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup at the age of 44 and has coached the Netherlands cricket team since April 2017.

"The family have been overwhelmed with the messages of support we've been getting from all over the world," Mark Campbell said on Wednesday.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.