'Mummy hundred' gives Wyatt-Hodge her deserved day in the sun

Figure caption,

Highlights: Dominant England beat Sri Lanka to win the opening game of the T20 World Cup

Batting in the middle has always been Danni Wyatt-Hodge's happy place.

"I like it when I play cricket. I don't have to think," the England opener once said.

Time to forget the world. Time to feel bat on ball.

But things are different these days.

"I was on about 90 and I thought I have to get a hundred for Daisy," Wyatt-Hodge said, after her stunning 105 not out against Sri Lanka on the opening night of the T20 World Cup.

"I did it for my three-week-old daughter."

The past weeks have been different for this entire England squad, given the size of a home World Cup.

For Wyatt-Hodge, though, it has been different level.

Her first child born on 20 May. Back strapping on her pads 10 days later. Now a thrilling century in a tournament curtain-raiser.

"Playing in a home World Cup like that and then having the joy of seeing your wife and daughter the next day - that's what dreams are made of," she said.

Wyatt-Hodge celebrated three figures, a knock that put England on their way to a statement opening win, by rocking her bat in her arms.

Back at home, her wife Georgie was watching on TV – perhaps Daisy too.

Last together on Sunday, the trio will be reunited on Saturday when the team heads to Southampton.

"I've not seen her for six days and it feels like six months," she said. "It is all I think about, even in the night."

Figure caption,

'One of the catches of the tournament!' - Wyatt-Hodge's moment to remember

Wyatt-Hodge always been one of England's most fascinating cricketers. She jokes and smiles, but that should never be confused with anything but fierce determination.

As a cricketer, she as resilient as they come.

Wyatt-Hodge made her debut in the same Mumbai ODI as Heather Knight and the pair are now the longest-serving members of this England set-up.

From the World Cup win at Lord's in 2017 to last year's Ashes drubbing down under. Together they have witnessed it all.

But while Knight was front and centre nine years ago as captain, Wyatt-Hodge was a bit-part player. She played five matches before others returned from injury for the trophy tilt.

Now, at 35, there is still time for this career's defining chapter.

While Wyatt-Hodge took her parental leave, debate bubbled about who would be England's openers when the big time came in this tournament.

Sophia Dunkley's form faltered and Amy Jones was promoted. The one certainty, despite her absence, was always England's diminutive right-hander.

Bleary-eyed from the sleepless nights, she made 29 when she did return against India last month in Bristol. Three single-figure scores followed but again England did not waver.