England launched their Women's T20 World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with an 87-run victory over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday evening, powered by a magnificent century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
The hosts posted a tournament-record total of 219 for the loss of just one wicket, silencing critics who had questioned their batting depth. Sri Lanka were then bowled out for 132, with Freya Kemp claiming career-best figures of 4 for 22.
Record-Breaking Partnership
Amy Jones was promoted to open alongside Wyatt-Hodge, and the pair put on 135 runs to set the foundation for England's dominance. Jones was dismissed for a brisk 48 in the 14th over, caught by captain Chamari Athapaththu attempting to clear the boundary. Nat Sciver-Brunt then took over, smashing an unbeaten 46 from just 22 balls.
The only question was whether Wyatt-Hodge would reach her third T20I hundred. With Sciver-Brunt scoring freely, Wyatt-Hodge was left stranded on 97 before Sri Lanka's fielders denied Sciver-Brunt a boundary, allowing Wyatt-Hodge to get back on strike. She swept the next ball for four to bring up her century with a ball to spare.
Emotional Century
Wyatt-Hodge, whose daughter Daisy was born just three weeks ago, celebrated by cradling her bat like a baby as the Edgbaston crowd rose to their feet. "I've been after that third T20 hundred for a few years now, so I'm chuffed to bits to get it," she said. "I've had a big life change the last few weeks, so it was pretty emotional. A few of the girls said they had a few tears."
She followed up with a crucial catch running back from square leg to dismiss Athapaththu. "I thought I was going to run into Jackie [Williams], the umpire," Wyatt-Hodge said. "It was really windy and blustery. I lost the ball for a couple of seconds and then managed to see it, put my hands out and grabbed it."
Sri Lanka Struggle
With their captain back in the pavilion, Sri Lanka's innings never gained momentum. They slumped to 67 for five as batters attempted to hit out, before Kemp cleaned up the middle order. "I've been calling her Big Dog Kemp," Wyatt-Hodge joked. "She just keeps it simple and bowls on the stumps."
Before play, spectators were treated to a unique opening ceremony featuring a pink taxi and performers from the musical Wicked. The England and Wales Cricket Board had planned the tournament for four years, but there were last-minute delays including a malfunctioning sightscreen and a steward who wandered onto the field.
Sri Lanka's bowlers struggled with control, sending down two no-balls and 11 wides. Debutants Malki Madara and Mithali Ayodhya conceded 51 and 40 runs respectively. Coach Jamie Siddons said: "The bowlers didn't bowl the ball in the right areas. The ball was flying around everywhere. We're a better cricket team than that. We planned well, we just didn't execute anything that we wanted to do."
Fielding was also poor, with Jones dropped twice on 12 and 48, and Sciver-Brunt given a life on 14.
