Alice Capsey admits WPL auction "a weird one to navigate"

Taking place during the T20 World Cup, seven England players were sold but nine members of the squad were overlooked for the inaugural five-team competition

Nick Howson | 04/03/2023 at 09:59

Alice Capsey admits the Women's Premier League auction taking place during England's T20 World Cup campaign left players "treading on eggshells".

Staged on February 13, the process coincided with the clash against Ireland at Boland Park.

Capsey, enlisted by Delhi Capitals for £75,000, was among seven England players signed up while she was hitting the country's fastest T20I half-century off 21 balls.

Sophia Dunkley (Gujarat Giants), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Issy Wong (both Mumbai Indians), Heather Knight (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell (both UP Warriorz) were the others to win deals.

But success for some meant disappointment for others, with Danni Wyatt, Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Amy Jones, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sarah Glenn, Charlie Dean, Lauren Winfield-Hill and Maia Bouchier all missing out.

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While the auction was ongoing, Capsey was blitzing 51 against Ireland (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

It led to an odd atmosphere in the England camp, according to Capsey, who herself chose to keep quiet.

"Obviously there were a couple of players that were really disappointed so it was quite a weird one to navigate, obviously you're really happy to be picked up but also you are conscious there are quite a few people who are disappointed," the 18-year-old told Sky Sports.

"It was a bit of a weird one, no one really knew what to say or do and it was kind of like you were treading on eggshells but I think everyone did a reasonably good job at putting it to the back of their minds as best they could and focusing on the game first.

"After the game, there are a couple of conversations as you find out who has been picked up so the changing room afterwards was a bit like little huddles in corners and you didn't really know what to do so it was strange and my view was to keep quiet and let it all play out in front."