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Former Aussie keeper Campbell out of induced coma

Former WA and Australia wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell is out of an induced coma after suffering a heart attack while at a London playground with his children

Former Australia cricketer Ryan Campbell has awoken from an induced coma in a UK hospital after suffering a heart attack.

The 50-year-old Western Australian sporting hero was at a playground with his children at the weekend when he collapsed.

Campbell's brother Mark has given a positive update after there were major fears for his life.

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

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

Image Id: 0A775A47D34E4866990CDC15C09F7C15 Image Caption: Ryan Campbell attempts to run out Brendon McCullum during his ODI debut for Australia in 2002 // Getty

"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."

Image Id: 7E0087815C324381B6A0EE5817DF97B6 Image Caption: Ryan Campbell bats for Western Australia during the Sheffield Shield in 2003 // Getty

Campbell played two ODIs for Australia in 2002 when iconic wicketkeeper-batter 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 and is considered extremely unlucky to not have made more appearances at international level.

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

Campbell played for Hong Kong during the 2016 T20 World Cup at the age of 44.

He has coached the Netherlands cricket team since April 2017. He returned home to Perth to visit family and friends earlier this month after the Dutch side's 3-0 ODI series loss against New Zealand.

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

WA Cricket CEO Christina Matthews said on Tuesday she was shocked to hear of Campbell's medical emergency.

"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," Matthews said.

Campbell's incident comes after legendary Australia legspinner Shane Warne died of a heart attack while holidaying in Thailand in March.

Rod Marsh, another Australia cricket icon, died aged 74 of a heart attack less than 24 hours before Warne's passing.