Scottish International and former Western Fury and current Essex cricketer Leigh Kasperek has joined the Wellington Blaze squad preparing for the the domestic women's season, which starts Karori Park from 23-25 November when the Blaze host the Central Hinds in the opening round. 

Kasperek a top order batswoman and right arm off spinner was awarded Player of the Year at Essex and also averaged 40 in the Australian Domestic championship last year playing for the Western Fury.

Cricket Wellington Women's Coordinator Mark Coles said Kasperek coming to Wellington is great for female cricket and she will involve herself with our young female cricketers and help with the coaching of our junior female representative teams.

Coles say, "I had a lot to do with Leigh in Australia and she is a very good cricketer who will bolster the Blaze squad. Anyone that averages 40 in Australia and then be named Player of the Year for Essex is a class player and we are lucky to have her play for the Blaze".

Leigh Kasperek Q and A

Upon her arrival last week, Cricket Wellington caught up with Leigh Kasperek and asked her a few questions:

Playing Style: Right hand top order bat and right arm off spin bowler

Nickname: Penguin

Secondary School Attended: Firrhill HS

Club: Carlton/Loughton

Earliest Cricket Memory: My first time playing cricket, aged 17. Boys and I, running around a field smashing tennis balls in all directions

Favourite Ground to play: Carlton CC

Most memorable cricket moment: 50* to win an Australian domestic women’s game against Queensland last year

Favourite player growing up: Shane Watson

The non-cricketing sports person or team I most admire: The European Union.

If I wasn’t a Blaze I’d be: …at home in Scotland getting a cold.

Favourite superhero: Neo from the Matrix. Serious skills

Favourite holiday destination: Australia

In my spare time I like to: Be active, listen to music, paint.

My signature dish is: My soup

My favourite song is: Ennio Morricone-The Mission

My favourite movie:  Man On Fire

My favourite food is: Grapefruit

Chores as kid: Everything apart from laundry

Favourite school subject:  None

Worst school subject: All

Do you have any pets: Yes

If I could have anything: I would want a specially designed portable super telescope.

The biggest influence on my cricketing career is: My mother.

Something you didn’t know about me is: ...I was in UKs X factor