Michael Kasprowicz was Glamorgan`s overseas player, when they won the National League title in 2002 and 2004. His signing for 2002 followed the retirement of Steve Watkin, and the burly Queenslander filled Watkin`s boots by successfully spearheading Glamorgan`s new ball attack as they won the one-day title.
In all, ‘Kasper’ played in 38 Tests and 43 One-Day Internationals for Australia, and during his overall career, he claimed 955 wickets, with his tally including 151 for Glamorgan in 34 matches between 2002 and 2004. His finest hour in the County Championship came against Durham during 2003. In August he took 9/36 against Durham at Sophia Gardens to record the second best bowling figures for the Welsh county, and the best since the Second World War, before in September taking 9/45 in the return match at Chester-le-Street.
As far as the one-day games were concerned, the Queenslander claimed 62 wickets for Glamorgan, and the county’s supporters will never forget his vital contributions with the ball during their National League campaign in 2002, especially his decisive closing spell against Kent at Canterbury as the Welsh county clinched the league title. He also contributed to their title success during 2004, but was on duty with Australia from early August and missed the title-clinching victory over Lancashire at Colwyn Bay.
‘Kasper’ had previously played county cricket for Essex and Leicestershire, and his outstanding bowling saw him regain his place in the Australia side for both One-Day Internationals and Tests Matches. In 2005 he was in their squad for the thrilling 2005 Ashes series, but with younger bowlers emerging, ‘Kasper’ subsequently lost his place in the Australian team and during 2006/07 he picked up a series of injuries which initially restricted his appearances, before hastening his retirement from first-class cricket during February 2008.
KASPROWICZ, Michael Scott
Born – South Brisbane, 10th February 1972.
Best performances for Glamorgan:
In first-class cricket – 78 v Gloucestershire at Sophia Gardens, 2003; 9/36 v Durham at Sophia Gardens, 2003.
In List A cricket – 35* v Kent at Maidstone, 2003; 4/28 v Durham at Sophia Gardens, 2002.
In T20 cricket – 31 and 2/25 v Gloucestershire at Bristol, 2003.
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| F-c | 34 | 56 | 13 | 1034 | 24.05 | – | 3 | 16 | – |
| List A | 43 | 26 | 10 | 338 | 21.12 | – | – | 12 | – |
| T20 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 65 | 13.00 | – | – | 1 | – |
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| First-class | 7580 | 272 | 3955 | 151 | 26.06 | 9 | 3 |
| List A | 2097 | 39 | 1469 | 57 | 25.77 | – | – |
| T20 | 131 | 1 | 145 | 5 | 29.00 | – | – |