England Reinstate Dropped Batter To T20I Squad For South Africa Series

England's initial squad announcement came with the news that Capsey would not feature in their squad for the T20I leg of the tour, but would return for the three ODIs. Capsey has been a regular member of the T20I side since 2022, when she made her international debut aged just 17. She made her first half-century in the format in just her third match, and quickly became England's most exciting young, up-and-coming player.

However, questions were raised over her form for England at No.3 after their early exit from the T20 World Cup last month. Capsey played three innings during the tournament and returned scores of nine off 17, 19 off 16 and was run out for one in England's final group game against the West Indies.

Following this, she was not named in England's T20I squad against South Africa, with head coach Jon Lewis explaining that she had been left out due to "a downward trend in form". Capsey has averaged 22.27 with the bat from 13 T20Is this year with a top score of 67* against New Zealand in Canterbury.

Capsey recalled due to injuries

However, England announced this morning (November 18) that Capsey would in fact be joining the T20I squad in South Africa to cover off "a couple of minor injury concerns within the squad".

That means that Capsey will leave the WBBL - where she is playing for Melbourne Renegades - early. She has played eight matches in the ongoing season of the WBBL, in six of which she's been dismissed before reaching double figures. She has found more success with the ball, however, taking 5-25 against Perth Scorchers earlier this month.

England will begin their T20I series in South Africa on Sunday, November 24. The ODI series will begin on December 4, before a one off Test match concludes the tour, beginning on December 15.

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