On February 3, the Kiwis announced the 15-member squad that will compete in the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup. New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker since the 2017 edition of the tournament Leigh Kasperek was a surprise omission from the WC party scheduled for March-April.
Fran Jonas, who only has two ODI caps to her name, was preferred ahead in the squad. The 17-year-old left-arm spinner adds batting depth to the side and that went in her favour.
Since the 2017 World Cup, the off-spinner Kasperek has taken 42 wickets from 26 matches at an average of 21.26, including career-best six for 46 against Australia.
Bob Carter said that Kasperek’s exclusion was unfortunate but they needed to make a tough choice for the right team balance.
“I really felt for Leigh, she’s a very fine bowler. It was based around the balance of our team. Would we take an extra spinner or would we take an extra batter, and that created a lot of debate,”
the NZ coach stated, as per ESPNcricinfo.
The 15-member squad will be led by Sophie Devine. They have Amelia Kerr and Frankie Mackay as the other two spinners. Lea Tahuhu is expected to be the leader of the pace attack comprising Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair and Hannah Row.
Lauren Down, Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday are the specialist batters, while Hayley Jensen will be the seam bowling all-rounder. The experienced campaigners Amy Satterthwaite and Suzie Bates also double down as the all-rounders.
Speaking about Jonas’ addition, skipper Devine said that she will be an X factor and has the ability to float around anywhere as a batter. She added that Jonas, as a left-arm spinner, brings variety to the bowling attack, with Kerr being a leg-spinner and Mackay being an off-spinner.
“There is some real depth coming through. Frans was outstanding through the winter camps that we had among the White Ferns and she has really grown as a player. She is only 17. Jonas’ ability to bat anywhere from one to eleven – that’s a really key thing,”
Devine said.
New Zealand will take on India in a five-match ODI series with the same squad ahead of the WC.
