Capsey’s unbeaten 74 steers England to seven-wicket victory despite Sophie Devine’s explosive cameo
Alice Capsey starred with an unbeaten 74 as England women’s cricket team began the final phase of their T20 World Cup preparations with a convincing seven-wicket win over New Zealand women’s cricket team in the opening T20I.

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Promoted to open the batting in the absence of Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Capsey thrived in the unfamiliar role, anchoring England’s chase of 137 with a composed yet aggressive 51-ball knock featuring seven fours and three sixes. She sealed victory with back-to-back boundaries as England reached the target with 16 balls remaining.

England, playing their first T20I in 10 months and without injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, were clinical in the field from the outset.

Lauren Bell struck with the very first ball of the match, while left-arm spinner Linsey Smith delivered a superb spell of 1 for 10 from four overs, including 15 dot balls.

Stand-in captain Charlie Dean chipped in with two wickets, while Freya Kemp returned to bowling for the first time in nearly 16 months after recovering from a back injury.

New Zealand struggled for momentum throughout the innings apart from a blazing cameo from Sophie Devine, who smashed 45 from just 22 balls in her final tour of England before retirement after the T20 World Cup.

Devine launched three huge sixes off Sophie Ecclestone during the powerplay and briefly threatened to take the game away from England before being bowled by Dani Gibson.

Late resistance from Maddy Green and Izzy Sharp helped the White Ferns reach 136 for 7, but the total proved well below par against a confident England batting unit.

Capsey found steady support from Freya Kemp, who remained unbeaten on 31 from 20 deliveries, ensuring England completed a comfortable chase and took an early lead in the series.