Picture Credit: AFP/ICC/Getty Images
England made a statement in the opening fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, overpowering Sri Lanka by 87 runs at Edgbaston on Friday.
England were sent in to bat first and steadily gathered momentum before launching a late onslaught to register 219/1, the highest total ever recorded in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt-Hodge laid the foundation for the massive score with a commanding 135-run opening partnership, keeping Sri Lanka’s bowlers under constant pressure.
Jones took full advantage of two missed chances and compiled a fluent 53 off 38 deliveries, registering her seventh T20I half-century before falling in the 14th over.
Wyatt-Hodge continued to dominate after her partner’s departure, producing a brilliant unbeaten knock of 105 from 62 balls that featured 13 fours and a six.
The landmark innings made her only the second England player to score a century in a Women’s T20 World Cup and the seventh woman overall to achieve the feat.
England’s innings received a further boost from skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, who smashed 46 from only 22 deliveries to propel the total beyond the 200-run mark.
Sri Lanka faced an uphill task from the outset and lost wickets at regular intervals while attempting to chase the imposing target.
England’s bowlers tightened their grip on the contest and removed Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu for just four runs during the powerplay.
Harshitha Samarawickrama offered some resistance with 29 runs, while Nilakshika Silva fought hard for her 39, but neither batter was able to alter the course of the contest.
Freya Kemp starred with figures of 4 for 22, while Charlie Dean claimed two wickets as England bowled out Sri Lanka for 132.
Brief Scores
England Women 219/1 in 20 overs (Danni Wyatt-Hodge 105*; Amy Jones 53) defeated Sri Lanka Women 132 all out in 20 overs (Nilakshika Silva 39, Harshitha Samarawickrama 29; Freya Kemp 4/22) by 87 runs.
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