England opened their campaign in the Women’s T20 World Cup with a commanding victory over Sri Lanka on Friday at Edgbaston, propelled by a remarkable century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge. The batter struck an unbeaten 105 off 62 deliveries, marking her third T20 international century and her fifth overall for England. This innings came after a series of low scores following her return from maternity leave last month, during which her wife Georgie gave birth to their daughter, Daisy.

Wyatt-Hodge’s performance helped England achieve their highest total in the Women’s T20 World Cup, posting 219 for one. This surpassed their previous best of 213 for five against Pakistan in 2023. The Sri Lankan bowling attack struggled throughout the innings, conceding 23 boundaries and three sixes, with the fielding unit also dropping three catches. Wyatt-Hodge celebrated her milestone with a cradle-rocking gesture in tribute to her newborn daughter.

In response, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 132 runs in a one-sided match. England’s bowling attack was led by Freya Kemp, who took four wickets for 21 runs. Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone contributed two wickets each, maintaining tight control as Sri Lanka faltered under pressure.

Following the defeat, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu acknowledged her team's shortcomings. She cited a loss of momentum during the powerplay and emphasized the need for a more fearless, positive approach in both batting and overall performance. Looking ahead, Athapaththu highlighted an upcoming difficult match against New Zealand and stressed the importance of regrouping and refining strategies.

Wyatt-Hodge reflected on the match with enthusiasm, praising the support from the crowd and expressing determination to build on the strong start. England’s dominant display sets a confident tone for their tournament ambitions as they progress to future fixtures.