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Zimbabwe opener Kelis Ndhlovu was rushed to a local hospital from Dunedin's University Oval ground after she copped a blow by a bouncer from New Zealand's Bree Illing during the second ODI of the series on March 8.
Kelis was batting on 12 when she was hit on the helmet while attempting to duck a short ball from Bree.
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Immediately, she collapsed on the ground and the medical staff rushed to her aide. After initial assessment, she was stretchered off the field and then taken to a local hospital in an ambulance.
"We've received some good news. She's responding now, which is really lovely to hear," Kate Ebrahim, Zimbabwe's interim head coach, said in the post-match press conference as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
"She's just recovering and we'll just see what the scans say and we'll move on from there."
Kelis was batting on 12 off 27 balls when she had to leave the field. She shared a 25-run opening partnership with Modester Mupachikwa who went on to score 32 runs.
Coach checked in on everyone
The interim head coach also had a conversation with Modester, Kelis' opening partner. Kate checked in on everyone as Kelis collapsing on the ground was shocking to see for everyone.
"We briefly touched on that... I just made sure that the other opener 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 came 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."
Easy win for New Zealand
Kelis was replaced by concussion substitute Tendai Makushka who walked in to bat when Zimbabwe had lost eight wickets. She became New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr's seventh victim. Amelia set the world record in ODIs for best bowling figures (7 for 34) by a captain.
Tendai scored 12 runs from 18 balls, taking Zimbabwe past the 100-run mark. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 102 as Amelia rushed through the batting order. They were bowled out in 29.1 overs.
New Zealand chased down the target with eight wickets in hand and 33.4 overs to spare. New Zealand took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The third and final ODI of the series is scheduled to take place on March 11. Kelis is doubtful for the last game of the tour.
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