Funding raised for attacked cricketer

A CROWDFUNDING appeal has been launched to help a young professional cricketer who was left with serious head injuries in a late-night attack in Bridgwater.

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.

Mondli, who was alone at the time of the incident, was rushed to Southmead Hospital where he has since undergone two operations to relieve pressure on his brain. He remains in hospital in an induced coma.

Mondli arrived in Somerset in April to play for North Petherton Cricket Club for the summer season. He travelled to the county 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 played 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.

Mondli, from Pietermaritzburg, is a fast bowler and represented South Africa in the Under-19s World Cup in 2020.

Mr Humphries, Mondli’s agent, was called on Sunday and told Mondli had been attacked and was in hospital.

He has been in touch with Mondli’s family and it is hoped mum Sbonglie and uncle Sakhii will now travel to the UK.

Mr Humphries, who has been keeping a vigil at Mondli’s bedside, said: “The news has come as a terrible shock to his family and we are now trying to arrange for them to get over to the UK as soon as possible. It was me that had to ring them and tell them what had happened.

“We cannot gauge the longterm impacts of the injury until the doctors wake him up from the coma.”

The fundraising appeal, organised by friends at the cricket club, has so far raised £7,900 at time of writing.

Mr Humphries said money raised would be used to support Mondli and his family.

Mondli was due to stay in Somerset until the start of September before returning to South Africa to resume his professional cricket career.

He has been staying with Somerset County Council leader Bill Revans at his home in North Petherton.

■ 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.