Solace for a broken finger has come in the form of a trophy after internet giant ESPN Cricinfo singled out WHITE FERNS off-spinner Leigh Kasperek in its 2016 International Cricket Awards overnight.
Cricinfo, the largest sports website in the world, recognised Kasperek’s superb 3-13 against Australia at the ICC World Twenty20 in Nagpur last year as the single most outstanding performance of 2016 in Women’s Twenty20 International cricket.
As Cricinfo’s Shashank Kishore recounts, “On a surface where batsmen had to curb their natural instincts, Australia came out looking to attack. That resulted in a double strike for Kasperek as openers Ellyse Villani and Alyssa Healy holed out to mid-on off successive balls.
“In her next over, Kasperek drew the No. 3, Erin Osborne, forward. The ball drifted in and skidded through to take the edge to the wicketkeeper. At the end of four overs Australia was four for four. They eventually recovered to post 103, but it didn't prove to be enough, even on a surface where there was significant help for the slower bowlers. New Zealand cruised home with 22 balls to spare.”
As Suzie Bates said, "She is a gutsy player who has shown a lot of heart in getting here. It was very courageous to flight the ball to some of the biggest hitters in the women's game. You don't often see that."
Read the full citation and watch Leigh’s acceptance speech here.
