Alice Capsey Returns to Wicketkeeping After 6 Year Break

At 22, Alice Capsey has already earned 95 caps for England as a batter, bowler, and reliable fielder. But when England gathered for their team photo this week, she needed an extra piece of kit she hasn't used in six years: wicketkeeping gloves.

Capsey will keep wicket for England's one-day series against Ireland, marking her first official return to the role since a single match in 2020. "Realistically, it is a bit of an unknown," she admits, but adds that the hard work she's put in off the pitch gives her confidence.

This isn't a random experiment. England's coaching staff first approached Capsey about keeping during their pre-season camp in South Africa earlier this year. She worked as backup keeper for this summer's T20 World Cup, though she was never called upon.

The transition back hasn't been easy. "Especially at the beginning of the summer, I was pretty nervous to do it," Capsey says. Teammates like Sophie Ecclestone helped keep things light and relaxed as she rebuilt her skills.

Capsey kept wicket throughout her youth career at Surrey's academy, only stepping away when she moved up an age group that needed an off-spinner. "It is really cool going back to the roots and where I started," she reflects.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story special is the mentorship behind it. Capsey grew up watching Sarah Taylor, regarded as one of the world's best wicketkeepers, win the 2017 World Cup at Lord's as a 12-year-old in the stands. Years later, Taylor became a sports coach at the same school Capsey attended.

"She has been on my shoulder for the last four or five years saying I need to get back to keeping," Capsey says. The chance to message her hero this summer and say "I am back" made all the training worth it.

The physical preparation has been intense. Capsey added leg strengthening exercises to her gym routine, particularly for her abductors to handle those squats behind the stumps. She's been fitting wicketkeeping drills around her batting, bowling, and fielding practice all summer.

In a warm-up match against India before the World Cup, Capsey caught a rising ball while standing up to the stumps, made a stumping, and didn't concede a single bye. "It was awesome," she says, beaming about the little victories like cleanly catching the first ball.

If this series goes well, it could reshape England's lineup. With regular keeper Amy Jones rested for this series, Capsey's dual role could free up space for a more explosive batter in the top order while providing valuable competition.

"To be trusted to have the gloves for England has got to give you confidence," Capsey says, knowing she's not the finished article but drawing strength from her childhood experience and months of preparation.