Former Australian cricketer Ryan Campbell, who suffered a heart attack in the United Kingdom on Saturday, remains critically ill and heavily sedated, his family said on Friday.

Campbell, 50, now lives in the Netherlands and coaches its national team. He caught up with family and friends in a visit to Perth just a fortnight ago, and was on a further visit to the UK to visit his wife’s family for Easter when he collapsed at a playground before his two children. A passerby performed CPR while they awaited paramedics.

His family issued a statement on Friday saying he had suffered a series of cardiac arrests.

He was being closely monitored at Royal Stoke University Hospital and his condition was unlikely to change over the weekend.

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

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“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.”

The news follows the sudden death of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, who died of a heart attack in March, aged 52.