New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek bowls 38 kmph delivery against Australia

Slower deliveries are now an indispensable part of almost every bowler in the world at present. In a time where the rules are heavily inclined towards the batsmen, the bowlers have no option but to keep bowling different deliveries to keep a check on the run rate. Varying the pace or bowling slower deliveries is one such variation.

Pacers as well as spinners rely on such deliveries to deceive the batsmen. The slower deliveries have become very common nowadays. But despite that, New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek managed to surprise all with her slower delivery. And the reason behind it is the speed of her slower delivery. Kasperek bowled perhaps the slowest delivery in the history of international cricket as her delivery clocked at 38 kmph.

She bowled the delivery during the ongoing third ODI against Australia in Mount Maunganui. The New Zealand spinner bowled the delivery in the 8th over of Australia’s innings when she was facing Beth Mooney. The Australia batter was not really deceived by the ball but had to reach out for it as she hit it towards long off for a single.

Leigh Kasperek shone against the Aussies on Wednesday and with tactics like this, we see why.

A 38kmph slower ball ?

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Australia on top

Talking about the game, Australia are well on top. At the time of writing this report, New Zealand were reeling on 58 for 4 in the 16th over. Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green were batting in the middle. The hosts need 92 runs in 59 bowls to register a consolation win. Australia have already sealed the three-match ODI series by winning the first two games.

Earlier in the game, Australia scored 149 for 7 in the allotted 25 overs. The match has been reduced to 25 overs per side contest due to rain. For the visitors, Alyssa Healy top-scored with 46 while Mooney (28) was the only other batter to cross the 20-run mark. For New Zealand, Kasperek impressed with the ball, taking 3 for 24 off her five overs.

She picked all the three wickets in just one over. Earlier, the three-match T20I series ended 1-1. Australia won the first game before New Zealand won the second to draw level. The third and final game was washed out.