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Women’s T20 World Cup, Group 2, Edgbaston
England 219-1 (20 overs): Wyatt-Hodge 105* (62), Jones 53 (38)
Sri Lanka 132 (19.5 overs): De Silva 39 (32); Kemp 4-22
England won by 87 runs
Scorecard. Tables.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge lit up the opening night of the T20 World Cup with a sensational 105 not out as England began with a statement victory over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.
Veteran opener Wyatt-Hodge, whose partner gave birth to their first child three weeks ago, celebrated by rocking her bat in her arms after racing to three figures in 61 balls.
She put on 135 for the first wicket with Amy Jones and when England’s wicketkeeper fell for 53 from 38 balls, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt continued the onslaught by hitting 46 not out from 22.
It took England to 219-1 – the highest score at a women’s T20 World Cup.
Sri Lank did not help themselves, dropping Jones twice and Sciver-Brunt once as well as leaking wides and no-balls, and were bowled out for 132.
Wyatt-Hodge also took a stunning steepling catch to dismiss Sri Lanka captain and key batter Chamari Athapaththu for four to cap a stunning all-round display, while 21-year-old left-armer Freya Kemp snuck in with 4-21 to seal the 87-run win.
It gave England a perfect start on a sunny night in Birmingham.
Ireland and Scotland enter on Saturday morning. England’s second match in Group 2 is on Tuesday against Ireland in Southampton.
