Alice Capsey thumped a 21-ball fifty as England overcame an enterprising start from Ireland and a batting wobble of their own to secure a four-wicket win and make it two victories from two at the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Capsey’s half-century, the fastest by an Englishwoman in T20Is, the joint-quickest at a Women’s T20 World Cup, and the joint-third fastest by any female player in the format, helped her side to their target of 106 with 34 balls to spare after Ireland earlier folded from 80-2 to 105 all out.
Capsey (51 off 22), picked up for £75,000 by Delhi Capitals in Monday’s Women’s Premier League auction, struck 10 boundaries and a six in her dashing knock, having come to the crease in the first over of the chase after Sophia Dunkley holed out to mid-on.
England lost five wickets for 33 runs once the 18-year-old was dismissed before Katherine Sciver-Brunt leathered the winning boundary through the covers as her side backed up their seven-wicket demolition of West Indies on Saturday.
Ireland, helped by Danni Wyatt dropping Gaby Lewis (36 off 37) on four, were 41-1 after the powerplay and 80-2 in the 13th over after electing to bat in Paarl, only to then lose eight wickets for 25 runs.
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Watch the best hits from Alice Capsey’s brilliant knock that saw the eighteen year old hit a half century in 21 deliveries.
Sophie Ecclestone (3-13) – on the day she was sold for £180,000 in the WPL auction – triggered the collapse when she struck with successive deliveries, starting by removing opener and top-scorer Lewis.
More to follow.
What’s next?
Saturday 18th February 12:30pm
Wednesday 15th February 4:30pm
England return to action against India on Saturday, with the game in Gqeberha starting at 1pm. Ireland’s next match is versus Pakistan in Cape Town on Wednesday, at 5pm.
Tuesday’s sole match at the T20 World Cup sees defending champions and tournament favourites Australia – who trounced New Zealand by 97 runs in their opening fixture – play Bangladesh in Gqeberha from 5pm.
Tuesday 14th February 4:30pm
