Scary moment! Zimbabwe batter hospitalised after being hit by deadly bouncer from New Zealand bowler

The ODI match between the Zimbabwe Women's National Cricket Team and the New Zealand Women's National Cricket Team witnessed a frightening scene on Sunday (March 8).

A Zimbabwe batter was hit by a dangerous bouncer, and she collapsed on the field. The shocking incident left players from both teams and fans stunned at the University Oval.

Scary Scene in Zimbabwe vs New Zealand ODI as Kelis Ndhlovu rushed to the hospital

Zimbabwe opener Kelis Ndhlovu had to be rushed to the hospital after the scary moment during the second ODI against the White Ferns. The young batter was struck on the head by a sharp, short ball delivered by New Zealand pacer Bree Illing, leaving all worried for the cricketer.

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Ndhlovu had started the innings confidently and was building a steady opening partnership with teammate Modester Mupachikwa. The pair had already added 25 runs when the unfortunate incident happened in the seventh over.

As Bree Illing bowled a fast bouncer, Ndhlovu tried to duck under the ball. Even though she was wearing a helmet, the ball struck her head area, and she immediately fell to the ground. This caused panic among players on both sides at the University Oval.

Medical staff rushed onto the field and started checking on the batter while the match was temporarily halted. After initial treatment on the ground, Ndhlovu was carefully placed on a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance to a hospital in Dunedin for further tests. Zimbabwe later brought in Tendai Makusha as a concussion substitute after the incident.

Relief for Zimbabwe as Kelis Ndhlovu shows positive signs after scary injury

Later, Zimbabwe’s interim coach Kate Ebrahim shared that Ndhlovu was showing positive signs after being taken to the hospital and was responding well, and doctors are continuing to monitor her condition.

Kate Ebrahim said at the post-match presentation: “We've received some good news. She's responding now, which is really lovely to hear. She's just recovering, and we'll just see what the scans say, and we'll move on from there.”

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The coach continued, “We briefly touched on that... I just made sure that the other opener, Mupachikwa, was in a position to sort of mentally carry on. She was right there with her. Yeah, so I just touched base, made sure she was okay.

A few words for her, and just make sure [we] keep going with Chipo [Mugeri-Tiripano, the next batter] when she comes in, and we just gather quickly as a team and just assist and... first I just checked on everyone because it can be quite a shock, really, for everyone.”

White Ferns beat New Zealand by 8 wickets

Following the incident, the ODI match continued, and the New Zealand women's team went on to win the game by eight wickets with more than 200 balls remaining at the University Oval.

All-rounder Amelia Kerr delivered a stunning performance with a seven-wicket haul and helped New Zealand take a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.