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Freya Kemp praised England team-mate Alice Capsey’s ‘brutal’ performance against New Zealand in their World Twenty20 warm-up match in midweek and revealed Charlotte Edwards wants to keep her charge.
England cruised to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the derby on Wednesday evening and will be hoping for more of the same in the second T20I in Kent on Saturday. Sky Sports main events live.
Capsey, who moved up the order from his usual No.3 spot, thrust himself into contention as an England opener after his unbeaten 74 off 51 balls – his highest tally in the international format.
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Nasser Hussain admits he was pleased with England’s win over New Zealand but is not getting high ahead of the World T20.
“I think the message in international cricket is just about winning,” Kemp said on Friday.
“It’s a really important thing for us as a group. We just want to get over the line and get those wins.
“It was a really good performance and a really good start to the T20 summer.
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A strong bowling and fielding performance and Alice Capsey’s 51-ball unbeaten 74 in Derby highlights the first T20 as England cruised to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand.
“It was a really good tone setter for the series,” Kemp added. “A really exciting T20 summer coming up. Our effort with the ball and fielding was really good.
“It was backed up really nicely with the bat. Capsey really set the tone. He obviously hadn’t opened before, but it was really beautiful to watch and it was a ruthless performance.”
Freya Kemp praised Alice Capsey (pictured) for her outstanding performance earlier in the week
Of Capsey’s performance, Kemp added: “It was amazing. He batted really well. It was obviously a tricky time at the start (of his innings), but he rode so well and it was really good to see it home.”
Heather Knight was then dismissed for 19 in the 12th over, before Kemp came to the crease and added 31 to help the hosts win.
Kemp returned to bowling after a 14-month injury lay-off
Kemp returned to competitive bowling for the first time in 14 months on Wednesday after suffering a back injury.
Kemp made his England debut aged 17, but two years later, he suffered two back stress fractures. She was later dropped from the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Due to injury, Kemp has not bowled competitively for the past 14 months, but on Wednesday, the left-arm medium pacer enjoyed his first spell with the ball, getting out for two overs.
“It was really good to be back bowling another night,” Kemp said. “The support I had was incredible.
“Every time I go out and play cricket. I want to do what the team needs. It was nice to take that responsibility the other night.”
Kemp did not bowl during England’s recent ODI series against New Zealand, but has been working behind the scenes with fast-bowling coach Chris Liddle since January.
He added that all the effort he has put in to get back to full fitness has been worth it.
“It was really nice to get the ball in my hands and play again.
“Obviously, it’s been a while, but some hard work has gone into the background, and it was really good to be back bowling again.”
Kemp said his hard work to return to full fitness following his injury paid off when he returned to bowling on Wednesday.
There was doubt as to whether Kemp would be selected for this summer’s World Cup. Asked if his injury would prevent him from being selected, he replied: “Not really.
“It’s definitely an honor to be selected in the squad. I’m an all-rounder, and that’s what I want to do for the team: contribute in all three areas of the game.
“So it was really good to come back from there.”
‘Capsie is someone who can take the game away’
Former England bowler Tash Farrant, speaking on Sky Sports:
“Capsie really staked her claim. I don’t know where she’s going to fit in with Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson, but she’s shown that she should be there.
“What I thought was brilliant from Capsey today was how she moved her feet – especially against Mellie Kerr, who she has struggled with in the past.
“We know what he can do against the pace. He targets the drop-point area really well, and he keeps going at it and playing to his strengths really well.
“For me, he’s someone who can take the game away. He’s played the situation, but he’s moved through the gears really quickly.”
England vs New Zealand Results & Schedule
All times UK and Ireland; All games are live on Sky Sports
- First T20I (Derby)- England won by seven wickets 🔴 🔵
- 2nd T20I (Canterbury) – Saturday, 23 May (2.30pm) 📅
- 3rd T20I (Hove) – Monday, 25 May (2.30pm) 📅
Watch England vs New Zealand live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket from 2pm on Saturday. Get Sky Sports or Flow without any contract.
