Alice Capsey Stars as Oval Invincibles Clinch First Win in Women's Hundred

England allrounder Alice Capsey played a starring role as the Oval Invincibles stormed to their first victory of the 2025 Women's Hundred, defeating Birmingham Phoenix by 22 runs in a commanding performance at Edgbaston.

Capsey smashed a rapid 52 off just 29 balls, anchoring the Invincibles’ formidable total of 174 for 5 — the third-highest score in the history of the women’s Hundred and the second-highest across both competitions this season. The total proved too steep for Phoenix, who were restricted to 152 for 6 despite a spirited late push from Ailsa Lister.

“It’s nice to get a win on the board after two close losses,” said Capsey after her match-winning knock. “The openers gave us a brilliant platform, and with the depth we have, we knew we could take some calculated risks. The pitch played better than expected, and now we head back to The Oval with confidence.”

Invincibles captain Meg Lanning set the tone early with a blistering 36 off 19 balls, sharing a 54-run stand in the Powerplay with Lauren Winfield-Hill. Capsey then took over, maintaining the aggressive tempo even as wickets fell around her. Partnered by Paige Scholfield, she reached her half-century off 28 deliveries before falling late in the innings.

Phoenix’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, though Hannah Baker emerged with some credit, returning figures of 2 for 24 in her 20 balls.

In response, Phoenix briefly threatened through Georgia Voll’s aggressive start, but the momentum soon swung back to the visitors. Marizanne Kapp and Amanda-Jade Wellington applied the brakes, with Wellington striking a key blow by removing Ellyse Perry for 29 off 16, courtesy of a smart catch by Winfield-Hill behind the stumps.

Despite a fighting 33 not out from Ailsa Lister, who struck four boundaries and a six in her 18-ball cameo, Phoenix never truly recovered from their middle-order stumbles and finished 22 runs short of the target.

The victory lifts Oval Invincibles off the bottom of the table and hands them a much-needed boost after two narrow losses to start their campaign.

Match Summary
Oval Invincibles: 174 for 5 (Capsey 52, Lanning 36, Baker 2-25)
Birmingham Phoenix: 152 for 6 (Lister 33*, Perry 29, Wellington 2-27)
Invincibles won by 22 runs