Cricketer out of a coma after attack
A CRICKETER who suffered serious head injuries after being attacked in Bridgwater town centre is out of a coma.
Twenty-year-old Mondli Khumalo had been out with friends when he was assaulted near the Green Dragon pub in Friarn Street during the early hours of May 29.
South African player Mondli, who was alone at the time of the incident, was rushed to Southmead Hospital where he underwent two operations to relieve pressure on his brain and was put into an induced coma.
A 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the attack has been released on unconditional bail pending further investigations.
Now friends of Mondli, who arrived in Somerset in April to play for North Petherton Cricket Club for the summer season, have revealed he is starting to improve and is out of the coma.
Posting an update on Twitter, teammate Lloyd Irish said: “Mondli is continuing to improve and is now breathing on his own, he’s now out of his coma and breathing tubes being removed as we speak. He’s showing great strength, arm wrestling his agent and pulling himself up the bed.”
Mondli travelled to Somerset as part of the World Sports XChange run by Robbie Humphries and is one of hundreds of talented young sportsmen in the UK from across the world. Mondli, who is contracted by KwaZulu-Natal Inland and has been capped four times at first-class level, has quickly become a popular member of the club, coaching the junior team and playing in the senior men’s team.
The fast bowler, from Pietermaritzburg, also represented South Africa in the Under 19s World Cup in 2020. It is hoped Mondli’s family, mum Sbonglie and uncle Sakhii will now travel to the UK to be by his bedside.
A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to help Mondli and his family and has so far raised more than £20,000. Mondli was due to stay in Somerset until the start of September before returning to South Africa to resume his professional cricket career with team The Tuskers.
Mondli has been staying with Somerset County Council leader Bill Revans at his home in North Petherton.