He is a right arm fast bowler, effective outfielder and useful lower order batsman, and has enjoyed a successful career both in Australia and in the English county scene since making his debut for Queensland as a seventeen year old in the 1989-1990 domestic season. He is well known for his 'never-say-die' and willing attitude.
Kasprowicz is one of the top performing fast bowlers in Australian cricket over the past decade, and his solid performances for Queensland earned him a Test debut against West Indies in his native Brisbane in November 1996. However, he would go through his first two Test matches for Australia wicketless.
The start to his international career was patchy and resulted in his omission from the Australian team, but his performances for Queensland and various counties in England meant he stayed in the eyes of the national selectors. After being in and out of the side since his debut, fighting for places alongside good friend Andy Bichel amongst others, Kasprowicz returned in 2004 to hold down a regular spot ahead of Brett Lee, as part of the successful pace bowling trio (the others being Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie) in the Australian Test team. To highlight his return to the team, Kasprowicz enjoyed a successful 2004, capturing an impressive 47 Test wickets for the calendar year.
After the 2005 Ashes loss to England, Kasprowicz was dropped from the Australian team and his Cricket Australia contract was not extended, thus possibly ending Kasprowicz's international career. However, he had a successful 2005/06 domestic season with Queensland, taking 44 wickets. This effort earned him a tenth recall to the national side for his experience to replace Glenn McGrath as Brett Lee's new ball partner. McGrath had stayed home from the South Africa tour after his wife's unfortunate recurrence of cancer.
Full name : Michael Kasprowicz
Born : February 10, 1972, South Brisbane, Queensland
Batting style : Right-hand bat
Bowling style : Right-arm fast-medium
Test debut : Bangladesh v Australia at Chittagong (CDS), Apr 16-20, 2006
ODI debut : Bangladesh v Australia at Chittagong (CDS), Apr 23, 2006
The 2009 ICC World Twenty20 is a Twenty20 cricket tournament scheduled to take place in England in June of 2009. It will be the second World Twenty20 and will consist of 12 teams, contested by all Test-playing nations plus qualifiers (Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland)
The Champions Twenty20 League, formed with the official sanction of ICC will kick off in October 2008. Eight domestic teams from four nations will participate. Cricket Australia will partner the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The champion team in the Champions Twenty20 league will get US $5 million, which is the highest ever prize money for a cricket event.
