In a surprising turn of events, Alice Capsey has earned a recall to England’s T20I squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa. The 20-year-old rising star, who was initially left out of the squad, joins the team to bolster their ranks amidst a few minor injury concerns.
Jon Lewis, the head coach of England women, viewed her omission from the initial T20I squad as a pivotal moment, Lewis described it as a necessary “line in the sand.” For the 20-year-old all-rounder, this decision wasn’t just about performance but a chance to regroup and refine her game.
“There is no doubt in my mind that over time she will play lots and lots of games for England in all formats of the game,” Lewis affirmed, expressing his faith in Capsey’s long-term potential. “But at the moment she is just trending in the wrong direction, and we need to have a little reset, to be honest.”
Lewis also shed light on the detailed conversations he and his coaching staff have had with Capsey, aimed at providing her with a clear roadmap for improvement. “We have talked at length with Alice. We have given her some really clear guidance on where we’d like her to improve and how we’d like her to play,” he explained.
“Especially in her crucial number three position, we want Alice to continue impacting the game with her aggressive style while also adding a layer of consistency,” Lewis emphasized.
Capsey’s inclusion comes after a challenging spell in the recent T20 World Cup, where England’s campaign ended in disappointment. The young all-rounder struggled to find her rhythm, managing just 29 runs across three innings, with a highest score of 19. England’s early exit from the tournament only added to the sting.
Since then, Capsey has been plying her trade for the Melbourne Renegades in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). While her batting form has been modest, amassing 72 runs in eight innings, her bowling performances have been nothing short of stellar. She currently stands as the third-highest wicket-taker in the competition this season, with 13 wickets at an average of 13.23 and an economy rate of 7.21. Her standout performance came against Perth Scorchers, where she claimed a remarkable 5 for 25, albeit in a losing cause.
Capsey’s journey back to the national set up highlights her resilience. Joining her in the squad are Paige Scholfield and Lauren Filer, two players who have impressed in recent outings. Scholfield, a middle-order batter, made her England debut during the Ireland tour in September, while Filer adds depth to the pace attack.
Interestingly, Capsey’s return means she reunites with most of the squad that featured in the T20 World Cup, barring Dani Gibson, who remains sidelined with an injury. England will look to start afresh in the T20I series against South Africa, which begins on November 24 and continues on November 27 and 30.
The multi-format series will then transition into three ODIs on December 4, 8, and 11, before culminating in a historic one-off Test match from December 15 to 18.
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