Danni Wyatt-Hodge's Century for Daisy: A Mother's Inspiration Powers England to Victory Danni Wyatt-Hodge delivered a match-winning century for England in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, with her newborn daughter Daisy serving as the emotional driving force behind her performance. The 35-year-old veteran, who welcomed her first child just a month prior, scored an unbeaten 105* against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, guiding England to an emphatic 87-run victory. Her innings marked her third T20I century and the second for England at the Women’s T20 World Cup, following Heather Knight’s feat in 2020. Wyatt-Hodge’s milestone came in dramatic fashion, as she reached her century on the penultimate ball of England’s innings. The right-hander, known for her aggressive strokeplay, described the moment as a personal triumph. “I was on about 90 and I was like, I could actually get 100 now and do it for Daisy,” she recalled after the match. The innings was punctuated by a boundary off the final delivery, which she celebrated by mimicking rocking her baby and hugging captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in front of the home crowd. The victory was a statement of intent for England, who dominated Sri Lanka with a comprehensive performance. Wyatt-Hodge’s century, combined with her team’s collective effort, secured a commanding lead. Her ability to stay composed under pressure was evident as she navigated the final overs, capitalizing on the slow, wide deliveries from Sri Lanka’s bowler Malki Madara. “I was like, right, let’s just jump across and try and hoick at it and try and get it through the gap,” she said, reflecting on the decisive shot. Beyond the statistics, Wyatt-Hodge’s personal journey added depth to her performance.#icc_womens_t20_world_cup_2026 #nat_sciverbrunt #danni_wyatthodge #daisy #malki_madara
NAT SCIVER-BRUNT: I WANT TO ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF ENGLAND CAPTAINS TO WIN A HOME WORLD CUP Nat Sciver-Brunt, captain of the England women’s cricket team, expressed her excitement about the upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup, which will be held in her home country. She reflected on the significance of the tournament, emphasizing its potential to elevate the profile of women’s cricket in England and showcase the sport’s competitive nature. Sciver-Brunt highlighted the emotional weight of the event, noting that winning a World Cup on home soil would be a historic achievement for her team. The 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which England won, remains a defining moment in her career. Sciver-Brunt described the tournament as a “marathon, not a sprint,” underscoring the team’s relentless focus and resilience throughout the competition. She recalled the camaraderie within the squad, which she credited as a key factor in their success. Despite the passage of nearly a decade, she described the memories of that tournament as vivid and deeply personal. Sciver-Brunt acknowledged the historical context of England’s World Cup performances on home soil, noting that the team has never failed to secure victory in such circumstances. However, she emphasized that this does not guarantee success, stressing the importance of preparation and focus. She acknowledged the psychological edge that hosting provides, stating that the entire nation’s support could be a significant advantage. The captain also highlighted the team’s current composition, including the inclusion of young talent like Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who made her debut in the squad. Sciver-Brunt praised Corteen-Coleman’s potential and the excitement she brings to the team.#england_women_cricket_team #nat_sciverbrunt #icc_women_cricket_world_cup #tilly_corteencoleman #linsey_smith
Sciver-Brunt Recovery 'Going to Plan' but Captain Yet to Bowl England cricket captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has confirmed her recovery from a calf injury is progressing as expected, though she remains sidelined from bowling ahead of the T20 World Cup. The 33-year-old all-rounder, a key figure in the team's strategy, has been absent from recent matches due to the injury, which was initially diagnosed as a "minor tear" during a game for Blaze on 29 April. Sciver-Brunt missed the 50-over and T20 series against New Zealand in May and will also be absent for the T20s against India, starting on 4 June. She has been cleared to resume running in training and has been batting in nets, though her return to bowling has been delayed. Sciver-Brunt emphasized the importance of her role in the team's preparations for the home World Cup, stating, "Now is the time to start pushing on." She acknowledged the frustration of being sidelined, saying, "Everything is sort of going to plan as far as it can do at the moment. It's been really frustrating watching from the sidelines and not being able to help and feel like I'm missing out a little bit." Her absence has raised concerns about the team's balance, as she provides both batting depth and leadership, alongside her all-round contributions. England's management has reiterated their confidence in her recovery, stressing that they are taking a cautious approach to ensure she is fully fit for the tournament. The injury initially ruled Sciver-Brunt out of the three one-day internationals against New Zealand, but a follow-up scan on 18 May extended her absence to the T20 series against India. The decision was based on the need for a "longer period of rehabilitation," as the injury required careful management.#england_cricket_team #t20_world_cup #nat_sciverbrunt #blaze #england_management
