Alice Capsey and England: How soon is too soon?

SAM MORSHEAD AT THE OVAL: A quality spell of calm, considered and disciplined spin bowling took Capsey's tournament haul to six wickets at 12 and an economy rate of 92 - she is one of just eight bowlers in the women’s competition going at under 100

Speak to those who know Alice Capsey and they will paint a picture of a level-headed young cricketer who does not put herself under pressure, a young cricketer for whom individual failure does not leave much of a scratch. 

That is an elite attitude - the sort of mindset with which Eoin Morgan took England’s men to the top of the world in white-ball cricket in 2019 - and not particularly easy to find. 

A golden duck for the average clubbie would result in several days’ of heavy mulling, so for a teenager to be able to compartmentalise so effectively, in front of thousands and live on national television, is an extraordinary gift.

And this summer, Capsey has shown just how gifted she is.

The Surrey and Oval Invincibles allrounder announced herself with a quickfire half-century at Lord’s - unfazed by either the magnitude of the occasion or the grandeur of the ground - and has since proved to be a more-than-useful asset for the Invincibles with the ball on their march towards The Hundred play-offs.

On Saturday, she was at it again - the standout bowler in a standout bowling attack, claiming 2 for 15 from 20 deliveries as London Spirit were overwhelmed at The Oval. Her victims? England captain Heather Knight and West Indies international Deandra Dottin.

A high quality spell of calm, considered and disciplined spin bowling took Capsey’s tournament haul to six wickets at 12 and an economy rate of 92 - she is one of just eight bowlers in the women’s competition going at under a run a ball so far. 

^{Alice Capsey starred with the bat for Oval Invincibles earlier in the tournament; on Saturday, she starred with the ball}

She has 99 runs at 25, too, striking above 120.

So of course there will be clamour for England to bring her into the national setup in the coming weeks and months.

It will present an interesting conundrum.

England are building towards a World Cup in February and March, for which the white-ball internationals against New Zealand in September form a crucial part of their preparation.

A core group has been moulded over the admittedly interrupted tenure of Lisa Keightley with this tournament very much in mind. 

Late changes to settled squads ahead of major competitions are hardly unheard of - Jofra Archer’s call-up in place of David Willey two years ago immediately comes to mind - but in Capsey’s case, will it extend opportunity for an exciting young player to mature and thrive, or limit it?

After all, it is not as though the end of The Hundred will mean the end of her cricket in 2021.

Capsey will go back to South East Stars in late August and have the stage to continue the progress she has made in 2021, playing regularly in a structure which allows female cricketers to develop skills learned and honed during The Hundred in a professional environment - a pivotal advancement in the sport this year.

While training with England’s best and carrying the drinks certainly provides an environment to listen and learn, there is little replacement for match action.

Capsey would also need to be squeezed into a squad bristling with talent: Sophie Ecclestone is the world’s No.1 spin bowler, Mady Villiers has shown how she can swing a game with bat and ball, Sarah Glenn is the premier leg-spinner and has proved herself an asset with the bat too, Sophia Dunkley might be a lock in the batting ranks with her form in 2021 but she also has leg breaks in her locker, while captain Knight’s off-spin is always an option.

^{Capsey, 17, came through the Surrey pathway}

Villiers, whom Capsey has outbowled for Oval Invincibles during The Hundred, would perhaps be the most at risk, sparing a seamer being dropped - but with so much spin already in the squad, would England make that choice?

There is an element of pastoral care which needs to be taken into mind, too.

Capsey’s mum had to give permission for Oval Invincibles’ head coach Jonathan Batty to offer her daughter a Hundred contract last December, and legally she does not become an adult until August 11 next year. 

She only received her GCSE results last week and any further secondary qualifications - she had hoped to move on to a psychology A Level and sport leadership BTEC - would have to be juggled with major tours of Australia and New Zealand, for the World Cup, in the event of her call-up by the national side. 

However, it is not unusual for England women to make their debuts for their country at a young age. 

Anya Shrubsole was 16 years and 251 days old when she turned out against South Africa at Shenley in 2008; Ecclestone was 17 years and 58 days against Pakistan in Bristol in 2016, Tash Farrant was 100 days older at Port of Spain three years earlier.

None of these saw their careers ruined by being exposed to centre stage as children. Yet none took centre stage at a time when women’s cricket is enjoying considerably enhanced focus, and the scrutiny which accompanies it. And for those women, a quick graduation to the international ranks would have been the only way of experiencing the rigours of professional sport.

^{Capsey will return to South East Stars at the end of the month}

Conversely, it could be argued that The Hundred, with all its free-to-air exposure, double-header billing and equal platforming with the men, presents a more challenging environment for young women. 

Future career planning is a crucial part of any cricketer’s formative years - and a fundamental focus of the PCA for both men and women. Looking after Capsey while getting the most out of her on the field will be an important job for any selector, coach and captain tasked with managing this gem in the months to come.

Knight seems to be taking the conservative approach to the youngster’s development.

“She is an exciting prospect but still needs time to develop and keep progressing as a cricketer. I’m sure she has a very bright future,” the England skipper said when pressed on Capsey’s international potential.

“The good thing about this competition is that players come out of nowhere and put in performances and she is an exciting one.

“The tournament has been awesome. It has been fast and frantic which is what you need to prepare for international cricket. I feel like it will develop the skills of the players, and the England players. It is great for the future of the England team and will unearth new players, who we know can play under pressure.”

Right now, Capsey certainly ticks those boxes.