Cricketer fighting for his life after being struck by lightning

A cricket player was battling for his life Sunday night after being struck by lightning while racing off the field to escape a sudden thunderstorm in Brooklyn.

According to the New York Daily News, Patrick Gibson, 41, was barely breathing and his legs were badly burned after the Marine Park lightning strike.

"His pants were burned. His tongue was out of his mouth and his eyes were rolled back in his head," the paper quoted Kenneth Charles, 38, as saying.

Gibson was playing in his first game for the Brooklyn-based Stars United team when the wild weather chased players off the field at Avenue S and E 32nd St just after 4 pm.

Friends said Gibson lagged behind the group to collect theequipment when he was hit.

Joseph Shortte, 49, of Brooklyn said he performed CPR on Gibson until paramedics arrived.

Gibson went into cardiac arrest as he was being rushed to Beth Israel Medical Center in Brooklyn, Fire Department officials said.

He was in critical condition last night.