Star India opener Smriti Mandhana has been cleared to continue playing at the ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand after taking a blow to the head during the team’s first warm-up fixture against South Africa.
Mandhana was forced to retire hurt after being hit on the head by a Shabnim Ismail bouncer during her team’s first warm-up game which India won by two runs. According to an ICC report, the 25-year-old was assessed by the team doctor following the incident and was originally declared fit to continue, only to retire hurt an over and a half later after another consultation.
The report further states that the left-hander showed no symptoms of concussion at the time, according to the medical staff, nor experienced delayed effects from the injury.
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The stylish batter looked in fine fettle while scoring her 20th half-century in the previous ODI against New Zealand before the upcoming 50-over showpiece.
Mandhana has so far scored 2461 runs in 64 ODIs, including four centuries.
India are scheduled to play another warm-up, against the West Indies, before beginning their World Cup campaign against Pakistan on March 6.
In the warm-up against South Africa, India posted 244 for 9 after a century from Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia’s 58.
Suné Elbie Luus and Laura Wolvaardt made half-centuries for South Africa but they couldn’t get the team across the line, as left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up 4 for 46 in 10 overs.
Agencies
