England open Women's T20 World Cup with huge win over Sri Lanka
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England kicked off the Women's T20 World Cup in style as they thrashed Sri Lanka by 87 runs at Edgbaston.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge starred for the hosts with an unbeaten 105 off 62 balls as England defended their competition-record total of 219-1 with ease.
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl, a decision which soon backfired as England scored 51 in the powerplay, while openers Amy Jones and Wyatt-Hodge brought up their century partnership in 9.5 overs.
Jones eventually fell for 53, with England 135-1, but Nat Sciver-Brunt accelerated the run rate for the hosts as she scored an unbeaten 46 off just 22 deliveries.
Wyatt-Hodge reached her century in the final over, leaving Sri Lanka with a mammoth chase on their hands.
And Sri Lanka's response certainly did not go to plan as they lost Vishmi Gunaratne (6), Chamari Athapaththu (4) and Imesha Dulani (7) inside the powerplay.
After Charlie Dean (2-18) trapped Hansima Karunaratne (11) lbw, Freya Kemp (4-22) took centre stage as she took three wickets in the 13th over.
Sophie Ecclestone (2-27) picked up the wicket of Malki Madara (5) with the last ball of the match, with Sri Lanka all out for 132.
What a way to start our World Cup! pic.twitter.com/fakW6B5sFy
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 12, 2026
England get started with a statement of intent
England could not have dreamt of a better way to start the tournament, with their total of 219-1 the highest in the competition's history, surpassing their own record of 213-5 against Pakistan in February 2023.
Wyatt-Hodge scored the seventh century in Women's T20 World Cup history, and her third in the format, to set England on their way in Birmingham.
England have also won all three of their matches against Sri Lanka in the competition; they had, however, lost their last two T20Is in the fixture.
England will also face West Indies, New Zealand, Ireland and Scotland in Group 2, with the top two teams progressing to the next round.
Australia take on South Africa in the first game of Group 1, which features India, Pakistan, Netherlands and Bangladesh.
Both semi-finals will take place at The Oval on June 30 and July 2, before the final will be hosted at Lord's on July 5.
