Last Updated on 4 years ago by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Former WA cricketer & current Netherlands coach Ryan Campbell in coma after heart attack | Ryan Campbell in London hospital after heart attack
Former Western Australia cricketer and current Netherlands coach Ryan Campbell is fighting for his life in a London hospital after he suffered a heart attack over the Easter weekend. The 50-year old was reportedly at a playground with his kids before he experienced breathing troubles, and is now in a coma.
The awful news came through early on Tuesday morning Australian time, when it was revealed by radio host Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast in Perth. Campbell was in Perth just last week, soon after Netherlands’ ODI tour of New Zealand.
“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,” said Parker.
“This news is a real shock to his family and friends back home in Australia, who learned about it on Easter Sunday.”
“Ryan Campbell is as ‘fit as a fiddle'”
In a tweet, Parker said that Campbell was in good spirits in his Perth visit last week. He suffered the heart attack on Saturday and is currently in ICU.
“Earlier I shared the news that former WA and Australian cricketer and friend of so many Ryan Campbell is in ICU in London after a heart attack on Saturday. He was here in Perth just last week and fit as a fiddle. Please have him, wife Leontina and his kids in your prayers,” the tweet read.
Campbell played 96 First Class matches for Western Australia, where he scored 6,009 runs at an average of 36.04. He also played 105 List A matches and debuted for Australia in an ODI against New Zealand in 2002.
Campbell has also been coach of the Netherlands team since 2017. Under his guidance, the Dutch have enjoyed some wonderful moments, including ODI series wins over Zimbabwe in 2019 and then Ireland in 2021, as well as qualifying for the 2021 T20 World Cup.
The Netherlands are due to participate in a Qualifier tournament in June in Zimbabwe for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
