Leigh Kasperek absent as New Zealand name ODI World Cup squad

17-year-old Fran Jonas has been named alongside Amelia Kerr and Frankie Mackay in the spin department. The rest of the 15-strong squad contains no surprises

Leigh Kasperek has been left out of New Zealand’s squad for the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup.

The 29-year-old spinner has taken 42 wickets at 21.26 since the 2017 World Cup – figures only eight bowlers globally can better – and is her country’s highest-ranked player (15th) in the ICC’s ODI bowling rankings.

However, 17-year-old Fran Jonas, a two-cap international who made her debut in February 2021, has been preferred in the 15-strong squad and completes the spin department alongside Amelia Kerr and Frankie Mackay.

Explaining the decision to select Jonas in place of Kasperek, head coach Bob Carter, said: "I really felt for Leigh, she's a very fine bowler. It was based around the balance of our team.

"We didn't have any of the three spinners that have been selected for the World Cup in the UK, and it came down to a choice - would we take an extra spinner or would we take an extra batter, and that created a lot of debate.

^{17-year-old Fran Jonas has been included in the squad [Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images]}

"I really feel for her because she's been a great member of the White Ferns, and it's at times like that, as a selector or coach, that I wish I could have had another place."

Skipper Sophie Devine added: "Fran does deserve an opportunity. She 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. That's one thing we want in our group - for players to follow the role and do the job, whatever it looks like, whatever it takes, they want to do it."

Jonas' ability to bowl slow left-arm orthodox also worked in her favour, with Devine continuing: "We have an offspinner, leg spinner and a left-arm orthodox. It provides me with some real options and flexibility.

"All play a different role, and we are obviously playing all around the country. So conditions are going to vary. To mix and match, to play three or play two or one or none really strengthens the squad."

^{Sophie Devine will lead New Zealand [Michael Steele/Getty Images]}

The remainder of the squad contains no surprises.

Lea Tahuhu is set to lead the pace attack alongside Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr while Hayley Jensen is included as a seam-bowling allrounder.

Maddy Green, Lauren Down, and Brooke Halliday join Sophie Devine, Amy Satterthwaite and Suzie Bates in a stacked batting line-up. Veteran wicketkeeper Katey Martin will take the gloves.  

Assessing the whole squad, Carter said: "We feel we have a balanced squad providing multiple options with bat and ball to cover the range of conditions we're likely to face around the country.

"There's a strong mix of youth and experience in this squad with several players having multiple World Cups under their belt. We also have a younger group coming through, six of which are yet to experience World Cup cricket - and it's naturally a very exciting time for those players."

New Zealand squad: Sophie Devine (c), Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Frankie Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin (wk), Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu