Wyatt-Hodge century inspires England rout of Sri Lanka as ICC says Women's T20 World Cup can coexist with football World Cup

Opening night at Edgbaston

Danni Wyatt-Hodge struck a sensational 105 not out from 62 balls as England opened the Women's T20 World Cup with a crushing 87-run win over Sri Lanka. The 35-year-old, who returned from maternity leave just weeks after her wife Georgie gave birth to daughter Daisy, celebrated the century with a cradle-rocking gesture to the camera. The opening ceremony at Edgbaston featured a performance from the musical Wicked and a crowd of 14,865. Wyatt-Hodge's innings, the seventh hundred in tournament history, included 13 fours and a six. She shared a 136-run stand with Amy Jones, who made 53.

England's dominant display

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt added an unbeaten 46 from 22 balls as England posted 219 for one, their highest total at a Women's T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka fell well short, dismissed for 132 in 19.5 overs, with left-armer Freya Kemp taking four for 21. Wyatt-Hodge also took a steep catch to remove Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu for four.

“It was great fun out there. What a crowd. What a start.”

England are aiming for the tournament to become their 'Lionesses or Red Roses moment', after the football and rugby union teams won home World Cups.

Ambitions for a record tournament

ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta said the tournament was on track to become one of the two biggest women's sporting events ever. The governing body projects attendances to cross 250,000, with an ambition to reach 300,000. Global viewing figures for last year's 50-over World Cup passed 500 million, and Gupta expects this edition to go past that number.

“We believe this tournament has the potential to be one of the two biggest women's sporting events ever.”

Coexistence with the men's football World Cup

The tournament is taking place while the FIFA men's World Cup is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but Gupta dismissed fears of being overshadowed. He noted that the broadcast windows are different and that ticket sales have been unaffected.

“We've not seen any impact on ticket sales, if anything the ticket sales have been stronger than ever.”

England face Ireland next in Southampton on Tuesday.

Wyatt-Hodge's emotional journey

Wyatt-Hodge admitted the separation from her newborn was difficult.

“I've not seen her for six days and it feels like six months.”

She had managed just 29 in her comeback innings against India last month and three single-figure scores after that, but England kept faith. Her century was celebrated by teammates, with discarded opener Sophia Dunkley rushing to embrace her at the boundary.

“Some people just need a bit of pressure and a bit of 'something' on a game... she thrives with situations like these.”