Cricket

Alice Capsey's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup has cost her a place in England's T20I squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa. The 18-year-old, who made her England debut in 2022, has been in poor form, scoring just 19 runs in three innings at the World Cup and 27 runs in five innings for the Melbourne Renegades in the Women's Big Bash League.Capsey's omission is a blow to England, who are looking to rebuild after their disappointing World Cup campaign. The team has been criticized for its fitness levels and its ability to handle pressure, and Capsey's absence will only add to the pressure on the remaining players.Paige Scholfield, who made her England debut in September, has been called up to the T20I squad, along with fast bowler Lauren Filer. Dani Gibson misses out after undergoing knee surgery.The tour will include a first Women's Test in South Africa since 2002, for which Freya Kemp and Maia Bouchier could be the notable debutants. Heather Knight retains her role as captain across formats.The tour is seen as a vital opportunity for England to reset their ambitions against a team that has now reached each of the last two T20 World Cup finals. The selected players have been training at Loughborough in the build-up to the series, with the T20I squad due to leave for South Africa on November 16, with the ODI and Test squads following on November 27.England Women's head coach Jon Lewis has hit back at criticism of the team's fitness levels, saying that the players are "in really good shape." He added that he would like to see more specific criticism from those who have questioned the team's fitness.The South Africa tour is seen as a vital staging post for England ahead of their next key objective, the Women's Ashes in Australia in January. Clare Connor, the ECB deputy chair and former women's captain, said that the tour is "a really good next experience" and "another preparation tour" for the Ashes.Connor also addressed the heightened scrutiny that the players had been under in the wake of the World Cup, and the sense that they had collapsed under the pressure. She said that the team will be looking at how to build in resilience to pressure and improve decision-making and skill retention under pressure.

Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in their Women's Hundred clash against Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford, securing a comfortable seven-wicket win. The victory marked a return to form for the Invincibles, who had endured a two-game winless streak.The Originals, seeking redemption after a disappointing loss to Northern Superchargers, posted a modest total of 125 for 4. Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney provided a solid start, but their momentum was halted by sharp catches from Seren Smale and Ryana MacDonald-Gay. Skipper Sophie Ecclestone provided a late surge with an unbeaten 26 from 15 balls.In response, the Invincibles' chase was anchored by an unbeaten 67-run partnership between Paige Scholfield and Marizanne Kapp. Scholfield, the Meerkat Match Hero, struck 48 from 27 balls, while Kapp contributed 19 from 11. Opener Chamari Athapaththu laid the foundation with a steady 33 from 36 balls.The Invincibles' fielding was equally impressive, with Amanda-Jade Wellington emerging as the standout bowler with figures of 2 for 22. The team's disciplined performance and ability to capitalize on the Originals' mistakes proved decisive.The victory propelled the Invincibles to second place in the points table, while the Originals remained in sixth position. Both teams will be eager to maintain their momentum in their upcoming fixtures.

Oval Invincibles, the two-time Hundred champions, kicked off the fourth season of the tournament with a dominant 45-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix. Paige Scholfield, batting at the top of the order in place of Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu, led the charge with a sparkling 71.Scholfield and England's Alice Capsey formed a formidable partnership, putting on 90 runs for the second wicket. Capsey contributed 52 runs, and the duo shared 17 boundaries. Their explosive batting threatened to set a new record in the Hundred women's competition.However, a flurry of late wickets slowed down the Invincibles' progress. Nevertheless, they set a challenging target of 150 runs for Birmingham Phoenix.The Phoenix's chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets with just 32 runs on the board. New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and Birmingham local Amy Jones offered some resistance, but the Invincibles' bowling attack proved too strong.Australian legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington was the standout performer with the ball, taking three wickets for just nine runs. Her economical spell helped restrict the Phoenix to 105 runs, securing a comfortable 45-run victory for the Invincibles.Scholfield, named the Meerkat Match Hero, expressed her delight at her performance. She credited her success to the support of Lauren Winfield-Hill and her trust in her own abilities.The Invincibles' victory sets the tone for the upcoming Hundred season, showcasing the exciting and competitive nature of the tournament.

South East Stars showcased their dominance in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, crushing Thunder by 82 runs in Blackpool. Bryony Smith and Paige Scholfield led the charge with scintillating half-centuries, propelling Stars to a formidable total of 283.Smith, facing the world's top-ranked seamer Kate Cross, displayed her class with elegant drives and a stylish push through the off side. She reached her half-century in just 56 balls, setting the tone for Stars' batting onslaught.Scholfield, the 28-year-old all-rounder, played a pivotal role, marshalling the innings and reaching her own half-century off a mere 50 deliveries. Her all-round brilliance kept the scoreboard ticking over.Thunder's bowlers struggled to contain the Stars' batting prowess, with Ryana MacDonald-Gay emerging as the lone bright spot with four wickets. However, her efforts proved insufficient as Stars posted a daunting target.In the chase, Thunder's hopes were dashed early on as Emma Lamb and Katie Mack departed cheaply. Seren Smale provided some resistance with a brisk 30, but MacDonald-Gay's bowling brilliance proved too much for the Thunder batters.Fi Morris and Ellie Threlkeld briefly kept Thunder in the hunt with a patient partnership, but Stars' bowlers seized the initiative with a flurry of wickets. MacDonald-Gay, Moore, and Smith combined to dismantle Thunder's batting lineup, leaving them 7.2 overs short of their target.South East Stars' comprehensive victory solidifies their position in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy standings, while Thunder remains in search of consistency.

South East Stars continued their dominance in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sunrisers at Lord's. Paige Scholfield, the South African-born allrounder, extended her impressive form with an unbeaten 50, guiding her team to victory.Sunrisers struggled to establish a solid foundation, losing wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Grace Scrivens and Alice Macleod departed early, while Jo Gardner's brief stay at the crease ended with a dismissal to Alexa Stonehouse. Mady Villiers provided some resistance with a quickfire 14, but her departure left Sunrisers reeling at 27 for 4.Flo Miller emerged as the lone bright spot for Sunrisers, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 39. However, her efforts were not enough to prevent the team from being restricted to a modest 116 for 8. Emma Jones and Stonehouse were the standout bowlers for South East Stars, claiming two wickets each.In response, South East Stars made light work of the chase. Sophia Dunkley and skipper Alice Capsey got the innings off to a brisk start, before both fell to the bowling of Jodi Grewcock. However, Scholfield took control of the chase, playing with authority and composure. She reached her half-century with the winning hit, her eighth boundary of the innings.Despite a brief scare when Emma Jones was dropped, South East Stars cruised to victory, with Scholfield and Phoebe Franklin guiding them home. The win extends South East Stars' unbeaten run in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, solidifying their position as one of the favorites for the title.

South East Stars continued their dominance in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a six-wicket victory over defending champions Southern Vipers at the Kia Oval. Leg-spinner Dani Gregory played a pivotal role, dismantling Vipers' middle order with a spell of 3 for 23.Vipers' innings got off to a shaky start as Alexa Stonehouse's accuracy kept them in check. Charli Knott departed cheaply, followed by Ella McCaughan. Georgia Adams provided some momentum with two boundaries, but her dismissal triggered a collapse. Gregory struck three quick wickets, including Georgia Elwiss, who was bowled attempting to swing across the line.Alice Monaghan and Rhianna Southby staged a late fightback with an unbroken 69-run partnership, but their efforts proved insufficient. Vipers posted 142 for 6, a total that seemed within reach for Stars.Paige Scholfield and Sophia Dunkley opened the chase cautiously, but gradually accelerated. Dunkley reached her half-century from 38 balls, while Scholfield followed suit from 33 deliveries. Despite losing Smith and Dunkley in quick succession, Stars remained in control.Phoebe Franklin sealed the victory with 11 balls to spare, securing Stars' fourth win in five games. Vipers, on the other hand, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stage.Gregory's exceptional spell and the solid batting performances of Dunkley and Scholfield proved decisive in Stars' triumph. Vipers will need to regroup and find their form if they want to keep their title hopes alive.

Paige Scholfield's scintillating unbeaten 73 propelled South East Stars to a commanding five-wicket victory over Lancashire Thunder in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. The South African all-rounder's career-best T20 knock, studded with 12 fours and a six, guided the hosts to a comfortable chase of 140 with four overs to spare.Thunder's innings got off to a blistering start thanks to Fi Morris' belligerent 41, which included eight boundaries. However, the visitors lost their way after Morris' dismissal, with Tash Farrant's economical spell of 2 for 17 proving pivotal. Emma Lamb's 36 and Georgie Smale's 37 were the only other notable contributions for Thunder.Stars' chase began with a setback as Bryony Smith was caught behind off Tara Norris. Sophia Dunkley and Farrant also departed cheaply, leaving the hosts in a spot of bother at 25 for 3. But Scholfield and Alice Davidson-Richards steadied the ship with a crucial 67-run partnership.Davidson-Richards, who struck a six and three fours, fell for 32, but Scholfield continued to dominate. She found an able ally in Aylish Cranstone, who contributed 24, as the pair added 48 for the fourth wicket.Scholfield reached her half-century in just 32 balls and accelerated thereafter. She smashed a six and two fours off Liberty Heap to bring up the winning runs and seal a comprehensive victory for Stars.

In a thrilling encounter at Beckenham, the South East Stars emerged victorious over Central Sparks by a commanding 71-run margin (D/L method) in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Ryana MacDonald-Gay continued her impressive start to the season, claiming 4 for 18 to dismantle the Sparks' batting lineup. The Maidstone-born seamer has now amassed 12 wickets in just three matches, showcasing her lethal bowling prowess.Paige Scholfield and Tash Farrant laid the foundation for the Stars' victory with solid half-centuries. Scholfield contributed 65 runs, while Farrant, captaining the side in Bryony Smith's absence, scored 54.However, Hannah Baker of the Sparks staged a remarkable comeback, claiming five wickets in four balls to finish with career-best figures of 5 for 45. The Stars faltered from a promising position of 230 for 3 to 268 all out, but their total proved insurmountable for the Sparks.The Sparks' chase never gained momentum, as they lost four wickets for two runs, leaving them reeling at 56 for 2. MacDonald-Gay's double-wicket-maiden in the 18th over further crippled their hopes.Eve Jones and Chloe Brewer provided some resistance with a 35-run opening partnership, but the Sparks' batting collapsed after Brewer's dismissal. MacDonald-Gay's brilliance continued as she dismissed Davina Perrin, Eve Jones, and Abi Freeborn in quick succession.Despite a valiant effort from Issy Wong and Grace Ellis, who put together a 61-run partnership, the Sparks were unable to recover from their early setbacks. With 20 overs remaining, rain forced the players off the field, and with no realistic prospect of a resumption, play was abandoned.Wong remained unbeaten on 34, while Ellis was 18 not out, but the Stars' 71-run victory was well-deserved.