Capsey's starring role leaves England with dilemma for T20WC

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Young batter Alice Capsey put her hand up to open for England during the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup with a dominant innings in the side's impressive victory over New Zealand in Derby on Wednesday.

Capsey scored an unbeaten 74 from just 51 deliveries in a new role as opener, as England successfully chased down the White Ferns' score of 136/7 with more than two overs remaining and with seven wickets still in hand.

It was the first time Capsey has opened at T20I level for her country and the 21-year-old took to the often difficult task with aplomb as she hit three sixes and seven fours to leave selectors with plenty to ponder ahead of the start of the T20 World Cup on June 12.

England will likely have to squeeze injured skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt and experienced batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge into their strong batting line-up at the T20 World Cup, with Capsey putting forward her own impressive audition for a spot at the top of the order with a strong showing against the Kiwis.

Capsey knows there is plenty of competition for spots in England's top-order and was glad she could make the most of her opportunity in the series opener against the White Ferns.

"Completely new role, so I guess with this England team at the minute, there's such competition for spots, it's just taking whatever opportunity you can get, it's always nice to take it," she said.

"So yeah, completely new role, just about taking in the opportunity I guess. 

"I've had some really good conversations with (teammate) Sophia Dunkley over the last couple of days, she's definitely settled the nerves. It's always nice to get the first win out of the bag."

Capsey only made three appearances for England at the most recent T20 World Cup in 2024, with the right-hander scoring just 29 runs in total as the side failed to make the knockout stages of the event.

The results weren't much better for Capsey or England at last year's edition of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup as she amassed 126 runs from eight innings, but a lengthy training period at the start of this year has her primed for the upcoming 20-over showcase.

"Lots of hard work. That three-month block at the beginning of the year was amazing, just to get some proper skills development, which I've probably not had for the last couple of years," Capsey added.

"I've worked on quite a few different areas of my game, I feel really comfortable at the crease, really calm - I think it showed today, I think I was two off eight, and just that composure to know I can catch up and really believe that as well. 

"I've been amazingly supported from the staff here, to put that into practice today was really nice. First go with that bat so I think I'll be keeping that for the rest of the series."

England's T20 World Cup squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge