New Zealand cricketer Leigh Kasperek will replace medium-pacer Jess Kerr for New Zealand women’s tour to Sri Lanka. Kasperek, who last played an international game in September 2021, returns after Kerr was injured on the toe while batting in the nets.

Speaking about the timing of the injury, New Zealand’s head coach Ben Sawyer said –

“Picking up an injury so close to departure for a tour is always disappointing.”

A subsequent scan revealed that Kerr will need six weeks of rehabilitation. Her injury came early last week, with the team set to leave for Sri Lanka on Thursday.

BAD NEWS:

Jess Kerr has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka tour due to a broken toe.

She will be replaced by Leigh Kasperek.#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/sdhuDNmhwc

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 19, 2023

Sawyer added – “Jess has been working really hard over the winter. 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.”

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Leigh Kasperek is the second-highest wicket-taker –

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.