Women's ODI World Cup 2022: Smriti Mandhana cleared to continue campaign after blow to head

In a relief for India, opener Smriti Mandhana has been cleared to continue playing at the ICC Women's World Cup 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 Mandhana 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 felt no concussion symptoms according to the medical staff at the time, nor experienced delayed effects from the incident.

Match-winning knocks #CWC22 dreams
Message for #TeamIndia fans

DO NOT MISS: @mandhana_smriti & @ImHarmanpreet chat after India win the fifth & final #NZWvINDW WODI.

Full interview https://t.co/sp9RGg7ueq pic.twitter.com/G5LenZWv9C — BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) February 24, 2022

The stylish batter looked in fine fettle while scoring her 20th half-century in her 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 West Indies, before beginning their World Cup campaign against Pakistan on March 6.

In the warm-up against against South Africa, India posted 244 for 9 after a century from Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia's 58. 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.