Paarl, Feb 13: Top-order batter Alice Capsey smashed a stunning 22-ball 51 to steer England to a four-wicket win over neighbours Ireland in their Women’s T20 World Cup group match here on Monday.
Capsey, who was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh during the Women’s Premier League auctions on Monday, struck as many as 10 fours during her whirlwind knock that blew Ireland away and helped England notch up the win — their second consecutive one — with 34 balls to spare.
Chasing a paltry 106 for a win, England were 69 for 1 at the end of powerplay overs with Capsey going strong with a flurry of boundaries after opener Sophia Dunkley (4) was out cheaply in the first over.
England huffed and puffed towards the target after Capsey’s dismissal in the second ball of the seventh over. Nat Sciver-Brunt (5), who was bought for a whopping Rs 3.2 crore by Mumbai Indians in the WPL auctions, got out cheaply, so also captain Heather Knight (14) and wicketkeeper Amy Jones (12).But Capsey’s pyrotechnics — strike rate of 231.8 — and the meagre target meant that England easily crossed the line, reaching 107 for 6 in 14.2 overs with Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone remaining not out on 5 and 0 respectively.
For Ireland, Cara Murray took three wickets for 15 runs while Orla Prendergast and Arlene Kelly got one each.
Earlier, the England spin trio of Ecclestone (3/13), Sarah Glenn (3/19) and Charlie Dean (2/26) wrecked havoc on the Ireland batters to skittle them out for 105 in 18.2 overs. Opting to bat, Ireland suffered a batting collapse as they were stifled by the England spin trio. Only the top four Ireland batters could reach double-digit figures.
Brief Scores: Ireland — 105 in 18.2 overs (Gaby Lewis 36; Sophie Ecclestone 3/13, Sarah Glenn 3/19). England — 107 for 6 in 14.2 overs (Alice Capsey 51; Cara Murray 3/15). (PTI)
