Leigh Kasperek replaces injured Jess Kerr for Sri Lanka tour
Offspinner Leigh Kasperek will exchange medium-pacer Jess Kerr for New Zealand girls’s tour to Sri Lanka. Kasperek, who final performed a global sport in September 2021, returns after Kerr was struck on the toe whereas batting within the nets. A subsequent scan revealed that Kerr will want six weeks of rehabilitation.
Kerr’s harm got here early final week, with the crew set to depart for Sri Lanka on Thursday. Speaking in regards to the timing of the harm, New Zealand’s head coach Ben Sawyer mentioned, “Picking up an injury so close to departure for a tour is always disappointing.
“Jess has been working actually arduous over the winter,” Sawyer said. “We have been excited to see how she would carry out in new situations for her, however we’re assured she shall be again match and prepared for our subsequent problem after Sri Lanka.”
“Leigh has had a difficult 18 months for the reason that World Cup however has at all times been a participant that has been on our radar,” Sawyer mentioned.
“She’s been saved out of the facet given the type of Fran (Jonas) and Eden (Carson) who’ve been performing constantly nicely and people spin positions have in all probability been probably the most hotly contested in our crew.”
But unlike Kerr, Kasperek will benefit from the spin-friendly conditions in Asia. Sawyer sees that as an upside that will bolster their existing resources.
“With Leigh, Fran, Eden and Melie (Amelia Kerr) we’ve robust depth in our spin-bowling shares, and in the end that is the extent of depth we need to get to in all positions.
“Leigh brings a wealth of international experience to the group and I’m sure she will thrive in the Sri Lankan conditions if given an opportunity.”
New Zealand’s tour will begin on June 27 with the primary of three ODIs in Galle. The video games then will shift to Colombo for 3 T20Is to cap off the tour.