Leigh Kasperek replaces injured Jess Kerr for Sri Lanka tour
Kerr, who was struck on the toe while batting in the nets, will require six weeks of rehabilitation
ESPNcricinfo staff
19-Jun-2023
Jess Kerr will need six weeks to rehabilitate • Getty Images
Offspinner Leigh Kasperek will replace medium-pacer Jess Kerr for New Zealand's tour to Sri Lanka. Kasperek, who last played an international game in September 2021, returns after Kerr was struck on the toe while batting in the nets. A subsequent scan revealed that Kerr will need six weeks of rehabilitation.
Kerr's injury came early last week, with the team set to leave for Sri Lanka on Thursday. Speaking about the timing of the injury, New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said, "Picking up an injury so close to departure for a tour is always disappointing.
"Jess has been working really hard over the winter," Sawyer said. "We were excited to see how she would perform in new conditions for her, but we're confident she will be back fit and ready for our next challenge after Sri Lanka."
Kasperek is the second-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in T20Is, and for Wellington Blaze in the 2022-23 Super Smash and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield - New Zealand's domestic T20 and 50-over competitions respectively.
"Leigh has had a challenging 18 months since the World Cup but has always been a player that has been on our radar," Sawyer said.
"She's been kept out of the side given the form of Fran (Jonas) and Eden (Carson) who've been performing consistently well and those spin positions have probably been the most hotly contested in our team."
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 have strong depth in our spin-bowling stocks, and ultimately that's the level of depth we want 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 start on June 27 with the first of three ODIs in Galle. The teams will then shift to Colombo for three T20Is to cap off the tour.