New Zealand Women is all set to tour Sri Lanka for a multi-format series which is slated to be played in the latter stages of June 2023. And the White Ferns have announced a competent squad for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The tour comprises of multi-format series which will begin with three-match ODI series followed by T20I series.
Ahead of the crucial series New Zealand Women suffered a major blow as their prolific medium pacer Kess Jerr sustained an injury while batting in net sessions. Kerr was hit on the toe during training sessions & unfortunately injured herself. The injury will keep her out of action for several weeks & will undergo a rehabilitation of six weeks as well.
Kerr’s injury won’t affect New Zealand much as they have a prolific spinner in place in the face of Leigh Kasperek. She will step into the squad as a replacement for Jess Kerr. Notably, Kasperek last played an International fixture back in September 2021. It would be interesting to see whether she will be able to fit into the squad and perform for the team.
Kasperek has been a terrific performer for New Zealand over the years. She has made a point to prove her prowess whenever she gets a chance to do so. Kasperek is the second-highest wicket-taker in the T20Is for New Zealand and bowling in spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka can do miracles for her. Leigh is currently playing in the Scotland series and will join the squad after the completion of the series in Sri Lanka.
New Zealand Tour of Sri Lanka: Head Coach Ben Swayer is disappointed with Jess Kerr’s Injury
Ben Swayer is unhappy with Jess Kerr’s Injury as she will not be able to perform for the team in such a crucial series. She further said that Jess Kerr has been working hard over the summer & sustaining an injury before any series is always unfortunate.
“Picking up an injury so close to departure for a tour is always disappointing, 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,” Ben Sawyer was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Leigh has had a challenging 18 months since the World Cup but has always been a player that has been on our radar, 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,” he added.
The New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka will begin with the ODI series on June 27 with the first ODI to be played in Galle. The teams will then shift to Colombo for the T20I series.
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