England star batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge produced a memorable innings in her side’s opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, smashing an unbeaten century against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday, June 12.
The experienced right-hander played a match-winning knock of 105* to help England begin their home World Cup campaign in dominant fashion with an emphatic 87-run victory. The century carried extra significance for Wyatt-Hodge, who became a mother for the first time last month and dedicated
the special innings to her newborn daughter, Daisy.
The 35-year-old reached the three-figure mark on the penultimate legal delivery of England’s innings. After completing her century, Wyatt-Hodge celebrated by rocking an imaginary baby in her arms before embracing England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Reflecting on the landmark moment, Wyatt-Hodge revealed that thoughts of her daughter motivated her during the closing stages 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 was quoted as saying by the ICC.
"The girl (Malki Madara) that was bowling was going quite slow and wide and square (leg) was up, so I was like, right, let's just jump across and try and hoick at it and try and get it through the gap. And once I saw it pierce the gap and go for four, as you can see...I was really happy,” she continued.
The hundred was the third T20I century of Wyatt-Hodge’s career and made her only the second England player to score a century at a Women’s T20 World Cup, following former captain Heather Knight, who achieved the feat against Thailand in 2020.
"I've been after that third T20I hundred for a few years now, so I was chuffed a bit to get it out there at Edgbaston in front of my family as well. It was really, really special."
The Three Lionesses will be up against neighbouring Ireland side in their next game of the global tournament in Southampton, and Wyatt-Hodge is eagerly awaiting a reunion with Daisy before the match. The batter admitted that becoming a mother has brought a fresh perspective to her life and career.
"I've not seen Daisy since I joined up, but I'll see her tomorrow in Southampton, so I'm really looking forward to that. It feels like I've not seen her for months and it just puts a whole new perspective on things,” Danni Wyatt-Hodge continued.
"It's all I think about, even in the night as well. It's just incredible and I can't wait for her to come and cheer us on for the rest of the tournament. I really wanted to get a fifty for Daisy and then obviously got the 100. So that was a really special moment to do it for the family,” she concluded.
With confidence high after her match-winning century, Wyatt-Hodge will be hoping to continue her rich form as England look to build momentum in their quest for Women’s T20 World Cup glory on home soil.
