Dylan Bettencourt
Fears have grown that South African cricketer Mondli Khumalo may never be able to play cricket again following an assault which took place last month.
His condition has improved greatly since he was beaten unconscious on 29 May during an altercation in a pub in the UK.
The 20-year-old Khumalo had three brain operations at the Southmead Hospital in Bristol, England. He was placed into an induced coma following surgery but has now regained consciousness and is able to talk.
The bowler is still contracted to the KwaZulu-Natal Inland Cricket Union.
He was in England after accepting a short-term deal to play for North Petherton Cricket Club during the South African off-season.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown but Khumalo and his teammates were out celebrating a match victory that same day.
Reports suggest that a 27-year-old man has been charged for causing Khumalo grievous bodily harm.
KZN Inland CEO Jason Sathiaseelan said it is too early to confirm whether Khumalo’s cricketing days were over.
“With brain injuries it’s possible that he might not be his usual self again, but that’s not our focus right now. We just want Mondli to recover first and come home and we will deal with the rest later,” he said.
“The main focus for everyone at the moment is that he survives and comes back to be with his family.”
Khumalo’s mother said that her son was the family’s sole provider.
“He is the one who is looking after us now. He knew that whenever he got money he had to buy us groceries and he was building a house for us,” she said.
Attempts are underway to get her to England.
The North Petherton club created a crowd funding campaign to help the Khumalo family.
The campaign has raised R440,000 with just three weeks left to reach their R9.7 million target. Cricket South Africa and the Department of Sport have pledged to donate towards the cause.
Image source: @BBC
