Alice Capsey could hit unprecedented heights in women's cricket in 2026, having dialled in after "realising how much of a talent she is", according to Nasser Hussain.
Capsey has already proven to be a genuine all-format operator in international and franchise cricket, registering 34 ODI and 45 T20I appearances for England.
Her reputation as a big‑hitting all‑rounder forced Hussain to stop short of calling her the breakout star of the summer ahead, but the former England captain believes the penny may finally have dropped for the 21‑year‑old.
"She's been around for a while, so it's not quite breakout, but that's only because of how good she was when she was young," Hussain told the Your Site Cricket podcast.
"I cover a lot of women's cricket, I see them around - in gyms and outside - I keep an eye on them, and I think the penny has dropped with Capsey.
"I think she's suddenly realising how much of a talent she is. It happens to all young cricketers, men and women: they burst onto the scene and a lot is thrown at them.
"It takes a bit of time to cope with that, and I think she is - and she's a very talented cricketer."
Michael Atherton believes 19‑year‑old Davina Perrin could make this summer her own.
With her masterful 42‑ball century in last year's edition of The Hundred for the then‑Northern Superchargers still leaving a lasting impression, Atherton believes Perrin is poised for a standout season.
Eyes will be fixed on the explosive 19‑year‑old batter's journey with Birmingham Phoenix after she became the first‑ever pick in a Hundred auction during March's inaugural draft.
Picking Perrin as his breakout player of 2026, Atherton said: "On the back of that innings and century in The Hundred, I was absolutely blown away by the style and manner of her play at The Oval that day. I think she's going to have a very big summer."
England's women face a significant summer with a T20 World Cup unfolding on home soil - a challenge that brings opportunity and pressure in equal measure, according to Atherton.
"2009 was when England won the T20 World Cup on home soil," he added.
"For the hosts, it's a combination. There is an advantage in terms of knowledge of conditions, being at home, getting all the support - but with that comes added pressure, which there will be on England this summer.
"I don't think you can move away from Australia as favourites, but England will surely be helped by being at home, albeit with that added scrutiny and pressure."
Despite England reaching the semi‑finals of last year's 50‑over World Cup, Hussain said they could not be classed as firm favourites to lift the T20 World Cup.
"Any side apart from Australia going into any tournament over the past 10 years, at least if not more, has never been firm favourites," he explained.
"It's always Australia - albeit they just had a 50‑over World Cup in India and Sri Lanka which they lost, and they didn't win the last T20 World Cup; New Zealand won that.
"The uptick in India, the WPL, and the direction they're going in - I'd have them second favourites, with England just after that.
"I do think England are a very strong side, but their problem is they beat sides below them in the table and then get to knockout games where they seem to fluff their lines when there's a bit of jeopardy.
"The test for Charlotte Edwards and her team is to match the likes of Australia, India or South Africa when the standard improves. That is England's test on home soil - but they are a very talented squad of players."
