New mother Danni Wyatt-Hodge smashed an unbeaten century as England launched their Women's T20 World Cup campaign spectacularly, setting a new tournament record total in a dominant victory over Sri Lanka.

After a pre-match performance by the cast of Wicked, Wyatt-Hodge, whose wife Georgie gave birth to their daughter Daisy last month, stole the spotlight with a magnificent 105 not out. This was England's fifth women's T20 hundred, and Wyatt-Hodge now owns three of them. Her knock propelled England to 219 for one at Edgbaston, surpassing their previous best of 213 for five against Pakistan in 2023.

Sri Lanka's bowlers struggled throughout, conceding 23 fours and three sixes, while their fielders dropped three catches—including a chance that could have run out Wyatt-Hodge during the powerplay. In reply, Sri Lanka never threatened the target and collapsed to 132 all out, losing by 87 runs.

Freya Kemp starred with the ball, taking four for 21, her best figures for England, while Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone claimed two wickets each. Nat Sciver-Brunt, playing her first competitive match since April 29 following a calf tear, made a rapid 46 not out after being dropped on 14. Amy Jones also contributed 53, having been reprieved twice on 12 and 48.

But the day belonged to Wyatt-Hodge. She accelerated early with three fours in one over off seamer Malki Madara, repeatedly punishing Sri Lanka's bowlers with her favoured cut shot. Having returned from maternity leave with three single-figure scores, she survived a run-out scare on 27 before racing to a 32-ball fifty, complete with a six off captain Chamari Athapaththu's spin.

She and Jones added 135 runs before Jones fell to mid-off. Sciver-Brunt then upped the tempo, and Wyatt-Hodge reached her century with a sweep for four off the penultimate ball, celebrating by cradling her bat like a baby. Her 61-ball ton also ensured England's highest-ever World Cup total.

In the field, Wyatt-Hodge took a brilliant running catch over her shoulder after Athapaththu top-edged a sweep off Dean. Sri Lanka slipped to 39 for three in the powerplay and never recovered, with Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith also among the wickets. Kemp then struck three times in four balls, while Ecclestone wrapped up the tail in the final over to complete a statement victory for England.