Capsey and Bell lead England to T20 victory

England faced New Zealand in the first T20 match at Derby on 20 May 2026, with Alice Capsey and Lauren Bell shining in their respective roles. England emerged victorious with a comfortable seven-wicket win, successfully chasing down New Zealand's total of 136 runs, with a final score of 140-3 from 17.2 overs.

Capsey delivered an impressive performance, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs off 51 balls. Promoted to open in the absence of Danni Wyatt-Hodge, she set the pace of the innings by striking three sixes, leading the hosts to their target of 137 runs with 16 balls to spare. Capsey's partnership with Freya Kemp, who scored 31 runs, added 64 runs for the third wicket, showcasing their ability to build a stable innings.

Earlier in the match, New Zealand, who are the defending champions for the upcoming World Cup tournament in June, struggled to find their rhythm. They lost Georgia Plimmer to the first delivery of the game, bowled by Bell, and ultimately managed only 136 runs for 7 wickets in their 20 overs. Sophie Devine contributed significantly for the White Ferns, scoring 45 runs off 22 balls. However, her dismissal by Dani Gibson at the end of the ninth over left the New Zealand batting order struggling, as they failed to capitalize on early opportunities.

Bell excelled with the ball, finishing her spell with figures of 2-23, while Linsey Smith also impressed, taking 1 wicket for just 10 runs. In contrast, Sophie Ecclestone faced difficulties, conceding 34 runs in three overs without taking any wickets.

The match also served as a critical part of England's preparation for the T20 World Cup. England coach Charlotte Edwards expressed her satisfaction with the young players' performance, especially considering the absence of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt due to a calf injury. Capsey's rise as an opener provides tactical flexibility for the team when Sciver-Brunt and Wyatt-Hodge return.

Following the match, comments from World Cup winner Alex Hartley emphasized the importance of integrating Capsey into England's best line-up. "She has adapted her game significantly and showcased her talent in this match," Hartley noted. Capsey herself spoke about her recent focus on skill development during the year, which has positively impacted her performance at the crease.