Due to a broken toe, fast bowler Jess Kerr will not participate in New Zealand’s next tour of Sri Lanka. Last week, Kerr got hit on the toe while hitting in the cages; later scans revealed a fracture. She now requires rehabilitation for up to six weeks. Kerr’s replacement has been announced as Leigh Kasperek.
“It’s always frustrating to pick up an injury so close to the start of a tour,” said Ben Sawyer, head coach of the New Zealand women’s team. “Jess is an important member of our bowling team in both forms and will be missed on what will be a difficult tour. We were excited to see how Jess would do in new conditions for her, but we’re optimistic she’ll be returning healthy and ready for our next challenge after Sri Lanka.”
Kasperek, meanwhile, has received his first call-up to the New Zealand squad since England’s visit in 2021. She has previously played 39 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 46 Twenty-Twenty-Innings (T20Is), taking 65 and 75 wickets. Her T20I wicket total places her second on New Zealand’s all-time list of leading wicket-takers in the format. Kasperek comes in with a great vein of form with Wellington Blaze in domestic competitions, reports Cricket Live Score.
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