Danni Wyatt-Hodge 105* Powers England to 87-Run Win Over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston

England opened the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with an 87-run win over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, posting 219-1 in 20 overs after Danni Wyatt-Hodge made 105 not out and Amy Jones added 53.

“Women's T20 World Cup, Group 2, Edgbaston England 219-1 (20 overs): Wyatt-Hodge 105* (62), Jones 53 (38) Sri Lanka 132 (19”

BBC

Freya Kemp then led the bowling with 4-22 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 132, with the match ending in a one-sided chase.

BBC

Nat Sciver-Brunt framed the result as a statement of intent, telling Sky Sports Cricket, "It's a massive win for us," as England completed their first game of the tournament.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, after losing the toss and being put into the chase, said, "We didn't play our best cricket today and, in all three departments, we were not at our best. That's why we lost," pointing to powerplay momentum and execution as issues.

Wyatt-Hodge’s century came with a cradle celebration for her daughter Daisy, and the BBC described her rocking her bat in her arms after racing to three figures in 61 balls.

On Sky Sports Cricket, Sciver-Brunt added that England were "really composed" and that starting the second innings with "three wickets in the powerplay" made it difficult for Sri Lanka to chase.

ICC

The Guardian highlighted how England’s batting firepower had been questioned but still produced the tournament’s highest total, writing that England powered their way to 219 for the loss of just one wicket.

Sri Lanka coach Jamie Siddons said the problem was execution, telling The Guardian, "We planned well, we just didn't execute anything that we wanted to do."

England’s win moved them to the top of Group 2 and set up their next match against Ireland at the Rose Bowl, Southampton, on Tuesday, with the BBC noting the second Group 2 game is on Tuesday against Ireland in Southampton.

“Dani Wyatt-Hodge, Freya Kemp fuel England's rout in Women's T20 World Cup opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge's unbeaten century powered England to a record 219/1 before Freya Kemp's four-wicket haul sealed an 87-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Women's T20 World Cup opener”

India Today

The ICC said England overhauled their own record of 213/5 set against Pakistan in 2023 by reaching 219-1 against Sri Lanka, with Wyatt-Hodge’s unbeaten 105 setting the tone for the tournament opener.

For Sri Lanka, the BBC reported that Ireland and Scotland enter on Saturday morning while England’s next match is on Tuesday, and Athapaththu said the next game is New Zealand, a tough team again, as her side looked to bounce back.

Sky Sports also set the immediate tournament schedule, saying, "Off to Southampton we go tomorrow to play Ireland on Tuesday night," after England’s emphatic start at Edgbaston.