'It's just about getting better' - Alice Capsey reflects on match-winning knock against Australia at Lord's

Australia, the reigning world champions, suffered their first defeat in a T20I series since 2017 as England emerged victorious after a great batting performance by Alice Capsey in the third game of the T20I series. After leveling the series 1-1, England managed to pick another thrilling victory in the decider to clinch the series 2-1. The result not only kept their Women's Ashes hopes alive, but also ended Australia's unbeaten streak in T20Is.

Stand-in skipper Alyssa Healy's side still are leading in the multi-format series by 6-4, but England's triumph in the T20Is has inflicted their first series loss in almost six years. The remarkable performance of Alice Capsey played a pivotal role in England's victory at Lord's, which witnessed a record-breaking crowd. Capsey's 46 runs off 23 balls not only halted her streak of low scores, but also propelled England to a significant win, keeping them competitive in the multi-format series against Australia.

Capsey, with her explosive batting style, showcased the skills that earned her an international debut at the tender age of 17. She fell just four runs short of her third half-century in T20Is, but nevertheless was the key contributor towards England's win at the iconic Lord's. 

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Capsey expressed her delight at keeping the series alive and attributed her success to her hard work in the nets and the unwavering support of the coaching staff.

"The series is still alive, which is amazing. T20 cricket, especially the way I play, sometimes I'm going to come off and sometimes I won't. It's just about getting better and trying to become more consistent at it. I've been working hard in the nets, and have been given a lot of backing by the coaching staff."

England aim to whitewash Australia in ODI series to clinch Women's Ashes

Her innings came at a crucial juncture in the game when England were 39/2, and Capsey capitalized on the strong start provided by opener Danni Wyatt. Capsey's powerful hitting, including big sixes and well-placed boundaries, propelled England closer to their DLS target. 

England's triumph in the rain-hit third T20I, achieved with just four balls to spare, was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 21,610 spectators. The electric atmosphere at Lord's sets the stage for the upcoming sold-out ODIs. To win the Women's Ashes for the first time since 2013-14, England must secure victories in all three remaining fixtures scheduled in Bristol, Southampton, and Taunton.

The win in the T20Is has injected confidence and self-belief into England's camp. Lauren Bell, who played a crucial role in dismissing Ellyse Perry, praised Capsey's outstanding performance and emphasized the team's growing confidence. With each ODI worth two points, England will be able to defeat Australia only if they manage to secure a series whitewash. Alyssa Healy acknowledged that England had shown more bravery and expressed her team's determination to bounce back in the upcoming one-day series, where they boast a remarkable 15-game winning streak.