Danni Wyatt-Hodge was England’s star player and Player of the Match, thanks to a superb 105 not out in just 62 balls, her third in the T20I format. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first. 

The England top order set to work quickly, with a century by Wyatt-Hodge, a half-century by Amy Jones (53 off 38), and 46 not out (off 22 balls) by the captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.  England finished their 20 overs on 219/1, the highest score at a T20 World Cup, leaving Sri Lanka a mountain to climb.

India did not impress with the ball, and only Malki Madara could get a wicket – the scalp of Jones. Sri Lanka started poorly with the bat, with none of the top order advancing past seven. 

Middle order

The middle order tried to right the ship with Harshitha Samarawickrama (29 off 18), Hansima Karunaratne (11 off 8), Kavisha Dilhari (19 off 15), and Nilakshika Silva (39 off 33) all managing to get double figures. However, after Silva was gone, the team from the subcontinent collapsed completely, finishing on 132.

Freya Kemp was the star bowler for England, taking four wickets for 22 runs. 

Freya Kemp. Photo: X/Sportstar

After the match, Wyatt-Hodge said she plays her best cricket when she doesn’t think too much. “I was on about 90, and I thought I have to get a hundred for Daisy. I did it for my three-week-old daughter.

“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.” 

England’s second match in Group 2 is on Tuesday (16/6) against Ireland in Southampton, while Sri Lanka will have to regroup for their match against New Zealand on the same day, at the same venue.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg