Kasperek star for unbeaten Otago Sparks
A stunning day of cricket from Otago Sparks and White Ferns all-rounder Leigh Kasperek has helped her side to be the only unbeaten team in the Super Smash following yesterday’s double-header round at Lincoln.
With Thursday’s matches washed out, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition got away to a belated start yesterday morning.
The Sparks, who finished last in the 2017 competition with just two wins from eight games, defeated the Central Hinds by 23 runs in the morning match before a 57-run victory over the Northern Spirit in the afternoon.
Kasperek played a starring role with the bat for the Sparks.
Her 54 not out from just 37 balls in the morning against the Central Hinds helped set up a formidable total of 129-4 in 20 overs. Fellow White Fern Suzie Bates got to 43 before she was bowled by 20-year-old Hinds debutante Claudia Green.
The Hinds battled their way to 106-9 in their 20 overs and never looked like threatening the Sparks’ score.
Kasperek backed up her effort with the bat by taking 2-20 from her four overs with the ball.
She was back in the thick of the action in Otago’s victory over the Northern Spirit.
Kasperek’s 40 from just 29 balls – a knock that included six fours – meant she top-scored again.
As the Spirit crumbled for just 68, the off-spinner was again in the wickets with 2-12 from her three overs.
Another White Fern, Amelia Kerr, returned the best bowling figures of the day with the outstanding return of 4-4 from four overs in a losing effort against the Northern Spirit.
The next round will be contested at Lincoln today with the unbeaten Otago taking on the Canterbury Magicians.
Round 1 Wellington Blaze 109-8