England Women opened the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a dominant 87-run victory over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Thursday, with opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge playing one of the finest innings in the tournament’s history. Wyatt-Hodge finished unbeaten on 105 from 62 balls as England posted 219 for 1 from their 20 overs.

Sri Lanka, set a target of 220, were bowled out for 132. Fast bowler Freya Kemp was the pick of England’s attack, taking 4 wickets for 21 runs in her full allocation of four overs. The result put England top of Group A alongside Australia, who also won their opening match.

Wyatt-Hodge, 31, brought up her century from 57 balls with a pulled six over midwicket, becoming the third England woman to score a T20 World Cup century. She shared a second-wicket partnership of 141 with Amy Jones, who scored 53 from 38 balls, before captain Nat Sciver-Brunt finished the innings with an unbeaten 46 from 22 deliveries.

England are hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time, with 12 nations competing across venues including Edgbaston, Lord’s, the Oval, and Headingley. The final is scheduled for July 8 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Australia, India, and the West Indies are among the sides tipped as genuine contenders for the title alongside the hosts.

England head coach Jon Lewis said the performance reflected months of preparation work in English conditions. “Danni was brilliant, and Freya showed again why she’s one of the most exciting young fast bowlers in the women’s game,” he told reporters. England’s next Group A fixture is against Australia on June 16 at Edgbaston, a rematch of the 2025 T20 World Cup final.

Full tournament coverage is available on the ICC website. The tournament opening overview and parallel World Cup action are also running this weekend. See the French Open result for the broader June sports context.