“That was the final piece of the puzzle,” Rob Humphries, Khumalo’s agent told ESPNcricinfo. “Now it’s about healing and the pathway back to professional cricket. He is in great spirits and physically, he is really good. He can get up and walk about. It’s about being able to get back in the gym and rebuilding his fitness. He is fit and strong and in a really good space.”
His fourth and final operation took place on September 7 to replace the piece of skull that had been removed to attend to the brain injury. It would have happened sooner but was delayed by several weeks after Khumalo contracted Covid-19. He will remain in England until he is cleared to travel, with Humphries aiming for a November return. Khumalo’s mother and uncle, who made the trip across from South Africa to England soon after the attack, have already returned home and Khumalo remains in the club’s care.
In June, they organised a crowd-funding campaign to help with the costs of Khumalo’s treatment, which is chargeable by the NHS and raised £27,379. Further funding will be needed, as his bills have exceeded this amount.