Danni Wyatt-Hodge scored an unbeaten 105 runs to lead England to a victory over Sri Lanka in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup [1].
The performance established a new benchmark for the tournament. England's total of 219/1 [2] is now the highest opening-match score in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup [3].
Playing at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, Wyatt-Hodge faced 62 balls [3]. She hit 16 boundaries [2] during her innings. While some reports indicated 15 fours, primary match data confirms 16 [2].
Wyatt-Hodge returned to professional play following the birth of her daughter, Daisy. She said, "It’s amazing to be back on the field after Daisy’s birth and to start the World Cup with a century" [4].
The opening batter dedicated the performance to her child. "I wanted to dedicate every run to my little Daisy," she said [3].
England's dominant display in the opening match puts the team in a strong position for the remainder of the tournament. The victory was fueled by Wyatt-Hodge's aggressive strike rate and the team's ability to maintain a low wicket loss while scoring over 200 runs [2].
“I wanted to dedicate every run to my little Daisy.”
Wyatt-Hodge's century not only provides England with early momentum in the 2026 tournament but also signals a successful return to elite competition after maternity leave. By setting a record for the highest opening-match score, England has established a psychological advantage and a high scoring standard for other teams in the competition.
