It was lbw for a stumped student when she had to juggle her university work with playing international cricket.

However, it wasn't 'leg', but 'laptop', 'before wicket' for Kathryn Leng when she was selected to play in the International Women's World Cup in New Zealand.

Concerned about spending time out from her studies at Bradford University she persuaded the English Cricket Board to make special arrangements for her during the competition.

And they duly bowled a maiden over when they arranged for her to borrow a laptop computer to gain access to the internet and e-mail.

Kathryn, a first-year student in business management, said: "This was a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity.

"The English Cricket Board was very supportive and set aside time every day for me to catch up on my course work."

The sponsors of the tournament Cricinfo had also set up an Internet cafe for match reports to be relayed round the world."

Kathryn sent two essays back to Bradford by e-mail and was able to look at lecture notes on the university website.

She said: "I was lucky that many of the lecturers are up-to-date and post lectures on-line."

However, as she was out in New Zealand for nearly two months she had to take some text books with her.

However, these caused a problem on the plane when she flew out.

"I was overweight on the plane," she said. "But on the way back I divided the books between cricket bags. So there was a bat, pads, gloves and an economic textbook in people's bags."

Kathryn, 27, is from Pudsey and a cricket fanatic. She said: "Playing in an international competition has always been something that I have dreamt of and I am pleased that the university and the Cricket Board both helped me fulfil this."

The English Women's Cricket team came fifth in the competition.

Kathryn said: "We now have to focus on the future and the home series against Australia in June.

"Personally I am hoping to play in the one-day international series and the Test Match at Headingley. It would be an honour to score a century for my country at Yorkshire's county ground."

Kathryn is a member of both the Cricketing Centre of Excellence run by the university and the English Cricket Board.

She is hoping to set up a ladies' cricket team at the centre but needs more volunteers.

Anyone with cricketing experience who is interested in joining can contact Kathryn on (07968) 356441.