Doing it for Daisy: Wyatt-Hodge reveals inspiration for ton
A first child and a century at a home T20 World Cup all in the space of a few weeks for Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Centurion Danni Wyatt-Hodge has revealed her new baby Daisy was the inspiration behind her match-winning knock for England against Sri Lanka in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup opener at Edgbaston on Friday.
Wyatt-Hodge only welcomed her first child into the world last month and the England veteran wasted little time in showing what it meant to her as she guided her side to a first-up victory over Sri Lanka in Birmingham with an unbeaten innings of 105*.
England fire on all fronts against Sri Lanka | Match Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026
England kickstart their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a massive 87-run victory over Sri Lanka.
It was Wyatt-Hodge's third T20I century of her career as the damaging right-hander became just the second England player to achieve the feat at a Women's T20 World Cup after former skipper Heather Knight reached triple figures against Thailand at the same event in Australia in 2020.
Wyatt-Hodge had to wait until the penultimate legal delivery of England's innings before she reached her milestone, with the 35-year-old celebrating bringing up her century by imitating rocking her baby and hugging captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in front of a parochial home crowd.
"I think I was on about 90 and I was like, I could actually get 100 now and do it for Daisy," she recalled after England's 87-run victory.
"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.
"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."
Three figures for a dominant Wyatt-Hodge | Player Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026
A very first century for Danni Wyatt-Hodge at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
Wyatt-Hodge will get the chance to link up with Daisy in Southampton ahead of England's next match at the T20 World Cup when they take on Ireland at the Hampshire Bowl on Tuesday.
And the confident England batter is hoping she can replicate her efforts and score yet another century, this time in front of her new child.
"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," Wyatt-Hodge said.
"It feels like I've not seen her for months and it just puts a whole new perspective on things.
"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.
"Obviously I've had a big life change the last few weeks, so yeah, it was pretty emotional.
"I think a few of the girls said they had a few tears, so yeah, hopefully we can do it again in front of her this time."
Century delight for Wyatt-Hodge | Women's T20WC 2026
First game of England's home ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 and Danni Wyatt-Hodge writes the headlines with a century against Sri Lanka.