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England kicked off their home T20 World Cup preparations with a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the series opener in Derby, thanks to a scintillating unbeaten half-century from Alice Capsey.
England play the White Ferns and then India in three T20Is before they begin their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12, LIVE Sky Sports
Capsey (74 not out from 51 balls) led the way with the bat in Wednesday’s win as the hosts reached their target of 137 with 16 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead ahead of games at Canterbury on Saturday and Hove on Bank Holiday Monday (2.30pm kick-off).
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21-year-old Alice Capsey’s unbeaten 74 guided England to victory in the first T20I against New Zealand.
Danny Watt-Hodge’s absence while he was awaiting the birth of his first child gave Capsey the chance to open and the 21-year-old struck seven fours and three sixes, forming a third-wicket stand of 43 with Heather Knight (19) and making an unbeaten 64 off 35 balls.
Capsey mixed power and innovation with placement and neat footwork while amassing his highest T20I score so far and now stakes a real claim to open in the upcoming World Cup.
Other positives included left-arm spinner Linsey Smith (1-10 from four overs) and frugal bowling from off-spinner Charlie Deane – Nate Cyver-Branter (calf) again stands as captain – Bagging 2-29.
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Lauren Bell got England off to the perfect start in the derby as she dismissed New Zealand’s Georgia Plummer on the first ball of the match.
These efforts, plus a slick fielding performance – not always England’s strong suit – and pacer Lauren Bell’s 2-23 – which included bowling Georgia Plummer on the first ball of the match after England elected to field – restricted New Zealand to 136-7.
Sophie Devine top-scored for the visitors with 45 off 22 balls, including four powerful leg-side sixes.
Devine’s top three came in the first over of 18 off Sophie Ecclestone, the sixth of the innings, as England’s senior spinner picked up 34 runs from three wicketless overs at an eye-watering economy rate of 11.33, perhaps a concern with the World Cup looming.
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Sky Sports’ Simon Doull discusses whether spin bowler Sophie Ecclestone should be confirmed for England
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New Zealand’s Sophie Devine hit four sixes before being bowled by England all-rounder Dani Gibson.
A confidence boosting win for England ahead of the World Cup
Sophia Dunkley (8) and Maia Bouchier (5) – late additions to the squad following the withdrawals of Wyatt-Hodge and Sciver-Brunt – fell cheaply with the bat, although Bouchier produced a superb catch as England’s fielding was superb earlier in the evening.
Bouchier was caught diving at long off to remove Brook Halliday (14) while Bell used his 6ft frame to pocket Kiwi captain Mellie Kerr (8) in the deep before Ecclestone smartly pulled Maddie Green (23) to short fine leg.
Capsey enjoyed his elevation in the opening position
Izzy Sharpe (26 off 20) hit New Zealand’s fifth six of the innings, but the away side lacked punch after Devine was bowled by England all-rounder Danny Gibson (1-21) at the end of the ninth over.
It was a genuine surprise that Suzy Bates – who will join teammates Devine and Leah Tahuhu in retiring after the World T20 – did not bat, as she has scored more runs in women’s T20s (4,717) than anyone else.
England have not won a World Twenty20 since the inaugural edition in 2009, which was also on home soil, with three runners-up finishes since then, all against Australia (2012, 2014 and 2018).
But they look in decent shape to compete this time around – if they can sharpen up in a few areas and get Sciver-Brant fit, the captain could sit out the rest of the New Zealand T20 and the clash with India.
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Player of the match Capsey reflects on his match-winning innings in the Midlands
Capsy: I’ve been working on different areas of my game
Player of the Match, England’s Alice Capsey (74 off 51 balls):
“There’s such competition for spots with this England team at the moment – any opportunity you get, it’s always good to take it. It was really great to hit any pace.
“(I worked a lot). The three-month block at the beginning of the year was amazing for skill development. I worked on different areas of my game.
“I felt confident at the crease – really calm – and I think it showed. I was two off eight balls but I realized I could catch and really believed.”
Where does capsy fit in?
Sky Sports Cricket Tash Farrant:
“It was clinical from England. They won convincingly and Capsy really staked his 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.
Charlie Dean continues as England captain for Nate Syver-Brant (calf)
‘England can be proud of performance’
England captain Charlie Dean:
“It’s great to start the series like that. Bale and Smith were great with the ball and everyone else chipped in.
“With the bat, it was in the balance for a long time, but we stuck to it. Two batsmen to finish unbeaten – Alice (Capsey) and Freya (Kemp) were exceptional.
“To perform like that is something we can be really proud of.”
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 Women’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports from June 12 to July 5. Hosts England open the tournament with a game against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (6.30pm start) on the opening night of the tournament.
