Anticipation and Nerves Ahead of World Cup Opener
Alice Capsey, known for her composed performances in an England jersey, reveals that despite her calm exterior, she is experiencing nerves ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on Friday. With the tournament being held on home soil, the pressure is palpable.
“I doubt I’ll sleep very well [on Thursday],” she says. “I think it might take me a little while to wind down and switch off from all the nerves and excitement.”
Capsey first gained public attention five years ago at age 16 when she scored a match-winning half-century in the Women’s Hundred. This upcoming tournament marks her fourth World Cup appearance. She acknowledges the unique pressure and opportunity that a home World Cup presents.
“This is a once-in-a-career opportunity,” she states. “We’ve got an amazing opportunity as a team to create some really special memories, not only as a group, but for the nation.”
Inspiration from Past Triumphs and Family Support
Capsey’s ambition is fueled by the success of the Lionesses and England’s previous World Cup victory at Lord’s in 2017, an event she witnessed firsthand as a spectator.
“I was in the crowd, and I remember telling my mum when they were lifting the trophy: ‘Wow, I want to do this. This is so cool.’ The atmosphere at Lord’s was unbelievable.”
Now, with her mother and a large group of friends and family expected to attend, Capsey is motivated to fulfill that dream.
“The Capsey Massive will be there for sure. They’ll definitely make themselves heard. They’re just as excited as we are.”
Despite her rising profile and a £130,000 contract with Birmingham Phoenix in this year’s Hundred, Capsey remains grounded by her roots on a dairy farm in Surrey. Her family has been a vital support system, especially during a challenging two-year period that began with her being dropped from England’s T20 side in November 2024. She later participated in the Ashes series, contributing 24 runs across four matches.
“The amazing thing is that family are there for whatever you need,” she explains. “Regardless of whether things are going well or not, they’re always in your corner. They’re always going to love you regardless. They’re always going to turn up.
“As much as the Ashes was a difficult time, and it did at points feel like it was all-consuming, being able to go out for dinner with mum and dad and hear what they’d done that day, whether it be see a botanical garden and a different flower that mum really liked and wanted to have in their garden – it put things into perspective.”
Pre-Match Routine and Family Connections
On the eve of the World Cup, Capsey’s routine includes reviewing her notes on strategies against the Sri Lankan bowlers and connecting with her family through their WhatsApp group.
“One thing I love getting is a picture of my [almost 2-year-old] niece at bath time in the evening. Those sorts of things really bring me back down to earth.”
Growth Through Setbacks and New Approaches
Being dropped from the team in 2024 ultimately proved beneficial for Capsey. Early in her international career, she struggled to meet expectations as England’s Next Big Thing and felt pressured to be a boundary hitter.
“I got sucked into trying to be a boundary hitter.”
Her omission prompted a reassessment with batting coach Alex Gidman, leading to a revised approach.
Capsey cites Australian legend Ellyse Perry as an inspiration for her more classical style, which emphasizes timing and shot selection rather than power hitting.
“She’s someone who is very classical, plays the ball on its merit. She’s adapted her game and raised her strike rate, but she hasn’t changed the shots she plays – she’s not switch-hitting it for six, but she’s trusting her timing.
“I’m a timer of the ball, I’m about finding the gaps, not trying to force it. For me, trusting my strengths is a big thing. I definitely feel I’m in a much better place as an all-round cricketer this summer than I was last year.”
The results have been evident: since May, Capsey has twice surpassed her previous highest score for England, most recently scoring 64 against India at Taunton last week.
If a home World Cup is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event, Capsey, who was not guaranteed a place in England’s T20 side just three weeks ago, is reaching peak form at the perfect moment.
New Role as Reserve Wicketkeeper and Future Prospects
Her recent improvement coincides with head coach Charlotte Edwards assigning her a new role as the official reserve wicketkeeper behind Amy Jones. Capsey has not kept wicket since her age-group days for Surrey but welcomed the opportunity.
“Wherever I go, my keeping gloves are always in my bag. For a while, a couple of girls would take the piss out of it a little bit, and be like, ‘oh, you’ve got your keeping gloves still’. So when Lottie [Edwards] suggested it [in March], I jumped at the chance, and I’ve been loving it.”
This new responsibility involves long training sessions, as Capsey also aims to maintain her off-spin bowling skills. At 21 years old, she continues to be central to England’s plans.
As England aspires to win the World Cup at Lord’s on 5 July, Capsey’s presence and form offer a promising sign for the team’s ambitions.
