Alice Capsey, one of England’s young cricketing stars, is navigating a challenging phase. After a rough run in the recent T20 World Cup, where she managed only 29 runs in three innings with a top score of 19, Capsey has been omitted from England’s T20I squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa.
Yet, with the Women’s Ashes just around the corner in January, Capsey is keen on using her extended Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) stint with the Melbourne Renegades to fine-tune her game in Australian conditions.
Since making her England debut in 2022 at 17, Capsey quickly gained a reputation as a future star. In her debut year, she played 10 matches, scoring 234 runs at an average of 33.42, including a top score of 50 against South Africa in the Commonwealth Games. However, 2023 saw her form taper as she tallied just 222 runs across 14 matches at a modest average of 15.85. Her 2024 started with promise, racking up 182 runs in her first seven innings, but she has since encountered another dip, scoring just 63 runs across her last five innings with a best of 25.
For Capsey, the WBBL represents an invaluable opportunity to reestablish her batting form. Her recent innings of 33 off 15 balls in the Melbourne Derby against the Stars showed a glimpse of her powerful game, striking at a phenomenal rate of 220. After the knock, she admitted, “It felt really good, it felt like it’s been a long time coming. I’ve been short of runs and I’ve been just really wanting to contribute to the batting performance for this team.”
Despite her struggles with the bat, Capsey’s contribution with the ball has been impressive, taking 12 wickets so far this season. This all-round performance has been critical to the Renegades’ campaign, and the team’s support has helped Capsey stay focused and resilient. Reflecting on her England omission, she shared, “Obviously, it’s very disappointing to miss out… There was a bit of disappointment and a bit of hurt, definitely, when I found out. But the way the Renegades girls have really gotten around me has been second to none.”
Capsey knows that her path back to the England T20I squad hinges on consistent performances. “I haven’t been consistent enough over the last 18 months for (England) in that number three role, which is a pivotal role in T20 cricket,” she shared on the message she received from skipper Heather Knight and coach Jon Lewis.
With an eye on the Ashes, Capsey is determined to leverage her additional WBBL matches to adapt to Australian pitches and refine her batting. “It’s another opportunity to play in Australian conditions,” she explained. “We’ve got an (Ashes) ODI here at Junction Oval, so I’ve just got more opportunities to develop my game, so I have a better understanding of where it needs to be to score runs on these pitches.”
Although Capsey’s availability with the Renegades may be limited if they reach the WBBL final — as she is set to join England’s ODI squad flying to South Africa on November 27 — she remains fully committed to her team’s success and her own journey of improvement.
“Every game that you play is a chance to show yourself and to put your best foot forward,” she noted, adding that the aggressive cricketing style of the Renegades aligns perfectly with her own strengths. “The way that this team is playing, and the brand of cricket that they want to play, it suits me down to the ground.”
Determined and resilient, Capsey is transforming her England disappointment into motivation in the WBBL. With the Women’s Ashes looming, the next few games could be pivotal in her journey to reclaim her place and rediscover her form.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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