England vs New Zealand, first T20: Alice Capsey hits unbeaten fifty as hosts ramp up World Cup preparations with victory

England ramped up preparations for his or her dwelling T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand within the sequence opener at Derby as Alice Capsey scored a glowing unbeaten half-century.

England are taking part in the White Ferns after which India in three T20s every earlier than starting their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12, dwell on Sky Sports activities

Capsey (74 not out off 51 balls) led the best way with the bat throughout Wednesday’s win because the hosts reached their goal of 137 with 16 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead forward of video games at Canterbury on Saturday and Hove on Financial institution Vacation Monday (each 2.30pm begins).

Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s absence as she awaits the beginning of her first youngster introduced Capsey with an opportunity to open and the 21-year-old went on to strike seven fours and three sixes, sharing a third-wicket stand of 43 with Heather Knight (19) and an unbroken 64 off 35 balls with Freya Kemp (31no off 20) for the fourth.

Capsey blended energy and innovation with placement and neat footwork whereas amassing her highest T20I rating thus far and has now staked an actual declare to open on the upcoming World Cup.

Different positives included the economical bowling of left-arm spinner Linsey Smith (1-10 from 4 overs) and off-spinner Charlie Dean – standing in as captain as soon as once more for Nat Sciver-Brunt (calf) – bagging 2-29.

These efforts, plus a slick fielding efficiency – not at all times England’s sturdy swimsuit – and seamer Lauren Bell’s 2-23 – which included bowling Georgia Plimmer from the primary ball of the match after England elected to area – restricted New Zealand to 136-7.

Sophie Devine top-scored for the vacationers with a rollicking 45 off 22 balls, a knock that featured 4 mighty leg-side sixes.

Three of Devine’s maximums got here in Sophie Ecclestone’s 18-run first over, the sixth of the innings, with England’s senior spinner leaking 34 runs from a wicketless three overs at an eye-watering financial system price of 11.33, maybe a priority because the World Cup looms.

Confidence-boosting win for England forward of World Cup

Sophia Dunkley (8) and Maia Bouchier (5) – the latter a late addition to the squad following the withdrawals of Wyatt-Hodge and Sciver-Brunt – fell cheaply with the bat, though Bouchier did produce a positive catch earlier within the night as England’s fielding excelled.

Bouchier’s diving seize on the run at long-off to take away Brooke Halliday (14) got here after Bell had used all of her 6ft body to pouch Kiwi captain Melie Kerr (8) within the deep and earlier than Ecclestone well snaffled a pulling Maddy Inexperienced (23) at brief positive leg.

Izzy Sharp (26no off 20) pounded New Zealand’s fifth six of the innings, however the away aspect lacked punch as soon as Devine was bowled by England all-rounder Dani Gibson (1-21) on the finish of the ninth over.

It was an actual shock that Suzie Bates – who will be a part of team-mates Devine and Lea Tahuhu in retiring after the T20 World Cup – didn’t bat, contemplating she has extra runs in girls’s T20Is (4,717) than anybody else.

England haven’t received the T20 World Cup because the inaugural version in 2009, which was additionally on dwelling soil, with three runners-up finishes since then, all coming in opposition to Australia (2012, 2014 and 2018).

However they appear in first rate form to contend this time round – if they will sharpen up in a number of areas and get Sciver-Brunt again match, with the skipper to sit down out the remaining New Zealand T20s and likewise the clashes with India.

Capsey: I have been engaged on totally different areas of my recreation

Participant of the Match, England’s Alice Capsey (74no off 51 balls):

“With this England team at the minute there’s such competition for spots – any opportunity you get, it’s always nice to take it. Anything pace-on was really nice to hit.

“[I’ve put in] plenty of arduous work. That three-month block at first of the yr was wonderful for talent growth. I’ve labored on some totally different areas of my recreation.

“I just felt confident at the crease – really calm – and I think that showed. I was two off eight balls but had the composure to know I could catch up and really believe that.”

The place does Capsey slot in?

Sky Sports activities Cricket’s Tash Farrant:

“That was clinical from England. They won emphatically and Capsey has really staked her claim.

“I do not know the place she’s going to slot in the aspect, with Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson as effectively, however she’s confirmed she needs to be there.”

‘England will be happy with efficiency’

England captain Charlie Dean:

“It’s brilliant to start the series like that. Bell and Smith were great up front with the ball and everyone else chipped in.

“With the bat, it within the stability for a very long time, however we caught at it. To complete with two batters not out – Alice [Capsey] and Freya [Kemp] had been distinctive.

“To put on a performance like that is something that we can be really proud of.”

England vs New Zealand outcomes and schedule

All instances UK and Eire; all video games dwell on Sky Sports activities

• First T20I (Derby) – England win by seven wickets 🔴 🔵
• Second T20I (Canterbury) – Saturday Could 23 (2.30pm) 📅
• Third T20I (Hove) – Monday Could 25 (2.30pm) 📅

Watch the Girls’s T20 World Cup dwell in full on Sky Sports activities from June 12-July 5. Hosts England kick off the match on opening evening with a recreation versus Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (6.30pm begin).