As England gear up for a six-match white-ball series against a depleted West Indies side, all eyes are on the fresh faces and returning stars tasked with shaping the future of English women’s cricket. This series—beginning May 21 with three T20Is followed by three ODIs—carries enormous significance for a rejuvenated England squad under newly minted captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and head coach Charlotte Edwards.
With the ICC Women’s World Cup and an India tour on the horizon, this is more than a bilateral series—it’s the proving ground for England’s next-gen hopefuls. Here are four players who could define the tone of England’s campaign.
Alice Capsey: The Rising All-Round Dynamo
Twenty-year-old Alice Capsey enters this series with a point to prove. After a lukewarm Ashes 2025 campaign—where she managed just 24 runs across four matches—and a brief appearance at the WPL 2025 for the Delhi Capitals (16 off 18), Capsey has found form in domestic cricket. She turned heads during the Women’s One Day Cup with 317 runs from seven matches, including a majestic 125, and also chipped in with six wickets, her best being 2/22. With 38 T20Is under her belt, she has accumulated 707 runs, with a career-best of 67 not out, and taken six wickets at a best of 2/4. Versatile and aggressive, Capsey will be keen to convert her domestic dominance into international consistency.
Issy Wong: The Speedster with Firepower
Fast bowler Issy Wong, aged 23, is another exciting prospect returning to the fold. Her last international appearance came in September 2024 against Ireland, and though she wasn’t retained by Mumbai Indians for WPL 2025, she’s found her rhythm with Warwickshire. In the ongoing Women’s One Day Cup, she’s picked up six wickets from six matches with a best of 2/59 and added 106 runs, including a high of 32—showcasing her ability to contribute with both bat and ball. With 12 T20Is to her name, Wong has claimed nine wickets, her best being 2/10. Her raw pace and flair could offer England the x-factor they need in tight situations.
Tammy Beaumont: The Seasoned Run Machine
At 34, Tammy Beaumont remains as vital as ever. The experienced opener last featured in a T20I against Ireland in September 2024, but age hasn’t dulled her blade. Representing The Blaze in the Women’s One Day Cup, she has plundered 311 runs in seven matches, highlighted by an unbeaten 116. Her overall T20I record is impressive—104 matches, 1859 runs, and the highest score of 116. Beaumont’s form and leadership will be critical as England look to blend youth with experience. If she fires, England’s top-order will have a formidable anchor.
Emily Arlott: The Breakthrough Contender
Making her long-awaited debut call-up, 27-year-old Emily Arlott is primed to make her mark. A consistent performer on the domestic circuit, she’s been instrumental in Warwickshire’s campaign at the Women’s One Day Cup with 14 wickets from seven matches, including a standout 4/61. Her exploits aren’t limited to this season—last year in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, she scalped 14 wickets in 10 matches, boasting a best of 4/21. Arlott also brings The Hundred experience, where she has claimed 33 wickets in 29 matches for Birmingham Phoenix, with a best of 3/15. Her ability to strike with the new ball and in the death, overs give England a lethal new option in their pace department.
As England turn the page and embrace a new chapter under Sciver-Brunt and Edwards, these four cricketers stand out as key protagonists. Whether they’re reclaiming their spot, igniting a resurgence, or stepping onto the international stage for the first time, Capsey, Wong, Beaumont, and Arlott are names to watch closely as England look to craft a winning formula ahead of cricket’s biggest stages.
