South African cricketer Mondli Khumalo in a 'critical but stable condition'

His teammate and friend Lloyd Irish has said: "That’s all I can say at the moment. He’s had surgery for a serious head injury and as a club we are supporting him and his family as best we can, along with his agent Rob Humphries who has been fantastic."

Mondli was placed in an induced coma after his surgery which was required after an attack in Bridgwater on Friarn Street, near Green Dragon Pub in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Lloyd Irish added that all the team has a new friend in Mondli: "He has fitted in perfectly at our club, he’s a wonderful character, extremely humble and we all love him to bits.

"We are all in complete shock and devastation as to what has happened, you genuinely couldn’t meet a nicer guy and we’re all hurt.

"The thoughts of everyone at NPCC are with Mondli and his family at this awful time."

So far this season Mondli has taken ten wickets for North Petherton, but Irish said that seems unimportant now.

"He’s an amazing, exceptionally talented cricketer, he’s made a great start although all of this seems unimportant at the moment, we are all praying he can come through this and hopefully get back to playing cricket at some point in the future."

Friarn Street, Bridgwater near to where the attack took place and inset - Mondli Khumalo. Pictures: Google Maps/North Petherton CC

Khumalo is contracted by KwaZulu-Natal Inland in South Africa and has been capped four times at first-class level. He has also played for South Africa Under-19's team.

The CEO of KZN Inland, Jason Sathiaseelan, has told Club Cricket SA that Mondli is in an induced coma and his mother is trying to source a passport to fly over and be with her son.

“He had surgery yesterday and the surgeon has reported that the operation was as successful as it could be. Mondli is in an induced coma, but the surgeon is positive that he can recover from this.

“We have been in contact with Mondli’s mom and we are doing our level best to obtain a passport for her, so that she can be with Mondli during this trying time," he said.

Yesterday (May 29, 2022), Avon and Somerset Police said: "A 20-year-old man was assaulted during this incident and he’s in hospital undergoing treatment after suffering serious head injuries.

"The incident happened at around 3am in the Friarn Street area, and involved a large number of people.

"A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm."

Khumalo is currently the overseas professional at North Petherton Cricket Club in England.

The cricket club said on social media: “All at North Petherton Cricket Club are in shock at the incident in Bridgwater that has led to our much-loved overseas player Mondli Khumalo being hospitalised in Southmead Hospital in Bristol this morning."

“The matter is now being investigated by the Avon and Somerset Police. We extend our heartfelt support to Mondli for a full and speedy recovery."

READ MORE: North Petherton cricketer placed into an induced coma after attack