The excitement of WPL 2024 began with a thrilling opening match. Despite Alice Capsey’s impressive performance, scoring 75 runs and taking 2 wickets, her team Delhi Capitals, fell short of victory.
In the previous edition of the WPL, Alice Capsey came 3rd down to bat and scored 159 runs in 8 games, with an average of 26.50 and a strike rate of 155.88. Her highest score was 38 not out against Mumbai Indians. She picked up 6 wickets with her part-time off-break with her best being 3 wickets for 26 runs against UP Warriorz. Her performance was inconsistent during the WPL 2023 matches.
But after a notable WPL 2023 season, Alice Capsey featured in 14 T20Is for the national side and failed to consistently contribute. She averaged 15.85, accumulating only 222 runs and her poor run of form continued to The Hundred, where she scored 112 runs in 7 games for the Oval Invincibles, with a 127.27 strike rate and a half-century. Nonetheless, in the 2023 Women Big Bash League, she added 383 runs to the tally from 14 innings for Melbourne Stars, which included a fifty and a strike rate of 105.59, she even took 8 wickets in 12 innings she bowled.
Consistency amongst other goals to be achieved in 2024, Alice Capsey, the hard-hitting all-rounder, brought the much-required experience with the bat to the Delhi Capitals’ middle order in the inaugural match of WPL 2024 after losing an early wicket to Shafali Verma.
Coming in at one down in the third over of the first innings, she showcased her power hitting with the bat, initiating a counter-attack and forming a crucial 64-run partnership off 51 balls with Meg Lanning. Despite Lanning’s departure in the eleventh over, Capsey continued her impressive performance, securing her first-ever WPL half-century and building another substantial partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, contributing 74 runs off 40 balls.
In the eighteenth over, Alice returned to the pavilion after posting her highest score on the board. She accumulated 75 runs in 53 balls, including eight boundaries and three maximums, with a striking rate of 141.51. This batting display ranked among the top 3 scores made for the Delhi Capitals and is the highest for an English player.
She also claimed 2 wickets in two overs and was entrusted with bowling the final over. Needing 5 runs to win on the last ball, it was hard luck for the spinner as Sajana, facing her first ball, sealed the victory with a decisive swing of the bat, securing the win for her team in an exciting manner, hitting a maximum and securing the game in MI’s favor.
Although she couldn’t manage to lead Delhi to victory in the WPL, Alice Capsey’s exceptional performance serves as a glimpse of her immense potential and resilience. Despite the outcome of this match, her display of skill and determination has undoubtedly left a lasting impression, highlighting confidence in her ability to deliver consistent and impactful performances in the future.