England batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge made a significant impact in her team’s first match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, scoring an unbeaten century against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday, June 12.
Wyatt-Hodge contributed a match-winning score of 105*, leading England to a dominant 87-run victory in their home World Cup opener. This century was particularly meaningful for her as she had become a mother for the first time last month and dedicated the innings to her daughter, Daisy.
The 35-year-old reached her century on the second-to-last legal ball of England’s innings. After achieving this milestone, Wyatt-Hodge celebrated by mimicking rocking a baby in her arms, then embracing captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Speaking on the experience, Wyatt-Hodge noted that thoughts of her daughter inspired her during the final moments of the innings.
“I think I was on about 90 and I was like, I could actually get 100 now and do it for Daisy,” she told the ICC.
“The girl bowling (Malki Madara) was going quite slow and wide, so I thought I’d jump across and try to hit it through the gap. Once I saw it go for four, I was really happy,” she added.
This century marked the third T20I century of Wyatt-Hodge’s career, making her only the second England player to score a century in a Women’s T20 World Cup, following former captain Heather Knight, who did so against Thailand in 2020.
“I’ve been aiming for that third T20I hundred for a few years now, so I was very pleased to achieve it at Edgbaston in front of my family. It was really special.”
England will face Ireland next in the tournament in Southampton, and Wyatt-Hodge is looking forward to reuniting with Daisy before the match. She expressed that motherhood has changed her outlook on life and her career.
“I haven’t seen Daisy since I joined the team, but I’ll see her tomorrow in Southampton. It feels like I’ve not seen her for ages, and it gives me a different perspective,” said Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
“It’s all I think about, even at night. I can’t wait for her to come and support us for the rest of the tournament. I really wanted to get a fifty for Daisy and then ended up with a hundred. That was a special moment for my family.”
With her confidence boosted by the century, Wyatt-Hodge aims to maintain her strong performance as England pursues success in the Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil.