Former England captain Charlotte Edwards believes Alice Capsey’s “wonderful” knock at Lord’s against Australia epitomizes England’s fearlessness in the Women’s Ashes.
Teenager Capsey blasted 46 from 23 balls to see England to their first T20 series win over Australia since 2017 and keep their Ashes hopes alive, with Heather Knight’s side now chasing the tourists, 6-4 in the multi-format series.
Coming into the third and final IT20, Capsey was under pressure having scored just 17 runs in his previous five T20 innings but the 18-year-old starred at the Home of Cricket in a player-of-the-match display which earned praise from Edwards.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the third Women’s Ashes T20 as England secured a thrilling win over Australia to keep their Ashes hopes alive
He told Sky Sports: “Alice Capsey is amazing. This is what she does. The younger talent in this part of England, they’re fearless, they’re not afraid.
“We have to remember, Alice Capsey has played in two Lord’s finals [in The Hundred], so tonight was just another day for him. It prepared him to play in these areas and to perform at this level.
“But still, coming out of the biggest stages, after running in the form that she has, it’s unbelievable from an 18-year-old girl.
“Everybody says, ‘He’s only scored 17 runs in his last five innings’, but then he delivers such innings.
“There are a lot of girls now who want to play cricket and watch it tonight, thinking, ‘I want to be the next Alice Capsey’.”
Edwards: It’s a great series
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Danielle Gibson hits the winning streak as England beat Australia by five wickets (DLS) in the 3rd T20 at Lord’s
The teenager’s performance topped a new record attendance for a bilateral women’s fixture in England, with a crowd of 21,610 at Lord’s.
The remaining three one-day internationals to end the series, starting on Wednesday in Bristol, have all been sold out with England still looking to regain the Ashes.
“Everyone said after The Oval [England winning the second IT20] that Australia will come back, they’ll be hurt, they’ll go back to normal,” Edwards said.
“They got back to normal tonight, but England still beat them. And that’s the biggest compliment you can give this team – they’ve done it time and time again, and in front of 20,000 people.
“The people are amazing. I think everyone in England wants to win, so we go to Bristol with the Ashes still alive.
“We have a lot of houses watching these games. You don’t want it to end. It’s unbelievable, a great series.”
Knight: Capsey innings ‘top drawer’ | ‘The ashes are still alive’
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Reaction of the two captains after England grabbed victory in the 3rd T20 against Australia at Lord’s
England captain, Heather Knight:
“For Caps [Alice Capsey]after two low-scoring innings, for him to come out and play like that, with the confidence he showed, it’s top drawer.”
“It is very important how we have done in the last two games that we have not looked ahead. The way we performed tonight was fantastic.
“There’s a lot of belief in that side. Going into the ODIs. There’s still a long way to go, there’s not much room for error but one game at a time.”
Player of the Match, Alice Capsey:
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Reaction from Alice Capsey after she hit 46 in England’s T20 win over Australia at Lord’s
“It’s unbelievable. The series is still alive, which is amazing. It’s a great show.
“T20 cricket, especially the way I play, sometimes I get out and sometimes I don’t.
“It’s just about getting better and trying to be more consistent with it. I’ve been working hard in the nets and given a lot of support by the coaching staff.”
Healy: England beat us
Australia’s captain, Alyssa Healy:
“England overpowered us and bowled really well. They played fearless cricket and got themselves over the line.
“That’s the beauty of the T20 format. If you’re not there, teams can catch you.
“England played a very good style of cricket throughout the series and we didn’t match that.
“Fortunately, we still have three more games in this Ashes series to get ourselves. We’re going for the one-day format, which we love.”
What’s next?
Live Ashes of a Woman
Wednesday, July 12, 12:30
The multi-format series will now shift to a three-match ODI series, starting with the opening game in Bristol, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 12.30pm on Wednesday, with the game starting at 1pm.
Both teams head to The Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Sunday, July 16 (11am kick-off) and Taunton for the final game of the series on Tuesday, July 18 (1pm kick-off).
Women’s Ashes schedule (all games live on Sky Sports)
Watch the first ODI of the multi-format Women’s Ashes between England and Australia on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 12.30pm, ahead of the first ball at 1pm. Stream this summer’s Ashes men’s and women’s series NOW
