Earlier this week, England’s World Cup preparations were dealt a blow with captain Nat Sciver-Brunt’s calf injury ruling her out of this series and the following three matches against India.
They have been guilty of relying too much on Sciver-Brunt’s batting brilliance in recent years, which will add an element of added pleasure for Charlotte Edwards as she watched two 21-year-olds put together a mature, match-winning stand.
Capsey, who usually bats at number three, was opening for the first time for England in this format but stepped up seamlessly as Wyatt-Hodge awaits the birth of her child.
She played to her strengths by dismantling New Zealand’s pace attack flawlessly, including back-to-back sixes off Jess Kerr in the 15th over, while calmly negotiating the spinners with singles.
Though it remains unclear who will make way in the side when Sciver-Brunt and Wyatt-Hodge return, World Cup winner Alex Hartley says England must find a way to keep Capsey in.
“I think she is in England’s best XI, the way she’s adapted her game,” Hartley said on BBC Test Match Special.
“When she came onto the scene as a 16-year-old she set the world alight, we all knew the talent that she had then. She had a little bit of a dip in form, she was on TV more and players started to to work her out.
“But she’s adapted her game, she was brilliant in the 50-over World Cup and she got England out of a lot of trouble a number of times.”
Capsey believes her game has improved since she had the opportunity to spend time working on her skills, away from the pressures of playing.
“That three-month block at the beginning of the year was amazing, just to get some proper skills development, which I’ve probably not had for the last couple of years,” said Capsey.
“I’ve worked on quite a few different areas of my game, I feel really comfortable at the crease, really calm – I think it showed today, I think was two off eight, and just that composure to know I can catch up and really believe that as well.”
After fellow opener Sophia Dunkley skied a catch for eight and Maia Bouchier was cleaned up by Bree Illing, Capsey added 43 with former captain Knight before Kemp injected some late energy into the chase with her 20-ball knock as the threat of rain loomed.
With the ball, the roles of England’s attack is clear. Bell continues to shine in her leadership role while Smith dominated the powerplay, claiming the key scalp of skipper Melie Kerr, who was caught at mid-off which may have contributed to the rest of the batters’ timid approach to the spinner.
However, Ecclestone was also targeted by New Zealand in the third ODI at Cardiff which could be a trend used by opposition sides at the World Cup.
Devine was immediately on the attack with those three massive leg-side blows, but the return of Gibson and Kemp to bowling after their respective back injuries ticks off another key part of Edwards’ puzzle.
