SERIOUS CONDITION
Mondli Khumalo, a former under-19 international, was attacked outside a pub in Bristol © Getty
A young South African fast bowler is fighting for his life in the wake of a brutal assault in England on Saturday (May 28) night. Mondli Khumalo, a former under-19 international, was attacked outside a pub in Bristol – where his club, North Petherton, had been celebrating a win.
Khumalo, 20, is in an induced coma in hospital after suffering significant head injuries. His condition remains serious and his prognosis uncertain. Efforts are being made to bring his mother, who lives in Umlazi in Durban, to his bedside. Police have arrested a 27-year-old on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.
At under-19 international level, Durban-born Khumalo played two Tests for South Africa in England in July 2018, and 10 one-day games including four in the 2020 World Cup in South Africa. He has played four first-class matches, a list A game and four T20s for KwaZulu-Natal Inland, where he is on a high-performance contract.
Khumalo is in England as a professional for North Petherton. He is the club’s leading bowler this season with 15 wickets at an average of 14.93, and has scored 191 runs – among them two half-centuries – in seven innings.
While Khumalo’s medical bills are covered while he is in hospital, he will likely need access to financial resources once he is discharged. To that end, North Petherton have launched a crowdfunding bid.
Source: Cricbuzz