The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 started on a remarkable note as England Women have just posted the highest total ever seen in a Women’s T20 World Cup innings, finishing at 219 for 1 in their 20 overs against Sri Lanka, thanks to an impressive ton by Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and asked the host to bat first; however, England turned the match into a one-sided affair with the bat. England got off to a confident start with openers Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones. Both players started on an impressive note. Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to find any early breakthroughs with the new ball. The pair played smart cricket, picking singles and smashing loose deliveries.
Jones had a bit of luck on her side as she was dropped on 12 in the fourth over. Meanwhile, by the end of the power play, England were sitting at 51 without loss. The openers had set a strong platform, and the Sri Lankans already looked short of ideas. The fielding was sloppy, and the bowlers couldn’t string together consistent overs. Runs were coming easily from all parts of the ground.
Wyatt-Hodge continued her fluent batting as she scored a fifty off just 32 balls, looking completely in control. The opening partnership crossed the 100-run mark without much trouble. Amy Jones joined the party too as she smashed her seventh T20I fifty off 34 balls. It was one of those days when everything favoured the host.
The first wicket finally came in the 14th over when Jones was dismissed for a well-made 53 off 38 balls. The opening stand was worth 135 runs. Nat Sciver-Brunt walked in and immediately found rhythm. Meanwhile, Wyatt-Hodge moved into the 90s with ease and then brought up a brilliant century – her third in T20Is – in just 61 balls, she also became the first centurion of this World Cup.
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Danni Wyatt-Hodge scripts history
Wyatt-Hodge and Sciver-Brunt added an unbeaten 84-run partnership quickly and dominated the Sri Lankan bowlers in the death overs. England scored a massive 44 runs in the final two overs. The last ball of the innings was slammed for four by Wyatt-Hodge, taking the total to 219. She remained unbeaten on 105, while Sciver-Brunt finished unbeaten on 46. This total is also the highest total ever scored in Women’s T20 World Cups. The previous highest was 213 for 5 by England against Pakistan in 2023. No other team has come close to touching 200 in a World Cup innings before this.
Wyatt-Hodge’s knock was special as her hundred makes her only the seventh player to score a century in Women’s T20 World Cup history. She joins stars like Deandra Dottin, Harmanpreet Kaur, Heather Knight, Meg Lanning, Lizelle Lee, and Muneeba Ali. For England, she is the second player after Heather Knight to achieve this in a World Cup.
Sri Lanka W need 220 runs to win
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had a forgettable day with the ball. Their bowlers looked ordinary and couldn’t contain the English batters. The fielding lapses made things even worse. Malki Madara was the only bowler to pick up a wicket, but by then the damage was done. Now Sri Lanka face a massive chase of 220 runs. It is a monumental task, especially against an England side that is full of confidence.
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As we head into the second innings, all eyes will be on how Sri Lanka respond. Chasing 220 is never easy, especially in a World Cup match. England will be confident of defending this total, and they are clear favourites now.
Sri Lanka Women Playing XI: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Imesha Dulani, Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya
England Women Playing XI: Danielle Nicole Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
Also Read: Top 4 Female All-Rounders in Modern Cricket
