England crush Lanka in Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener

Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s unbeaten century, followed by Freya Kemp’s four-wicket haul, led England to a resounding 87-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (WC) 2026 here at Edgbaston on Friday.

Set to chase a daunting 220-run target, Sri Lanka could muster 132 all out in their 20 overs despite Nilakshika Silva’s spirited knock.
Silva remained the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with a gutsy 37 off 32 deliveries, while Harshitha Samarawickrama (29), Kavisha Dilhari (19) and Hansima Karunaratne (11) were the only other batters to amass double figures against a ruthless England bowling attack, led by Kemp, who picked up four wickets for just 21 runs in her four overs.

Her bowling exploits were backed by Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean, who bagged two wickets each, while Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith chipped in with one scalp apiece.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu’s decision to field first backfired as the home side piled up 219/1 in their 20 overs. England got off to a flamboyant start to their innings as their opening pair of Amy Jones and Wyatt-Hodge put together a quickfire 135-run partnership.

Malki Madara eventually broke the century-plus stand on the fourth delivery of the 14th over when she got Jones caught at mid-off. The wicketkeeper batter walked back after scoring a blistering 53 off 38 deliveries with the help of four fours and a six.

Following Jones’s dismissal, skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt joined mainstay Wyatt-Hodge in the middle, and the duo ensured retaining the momentum in England’s favour and eventually led the home side to a 200-plus total by registering an unbeaten 80-run partnership for the second wicket.

Wyatt-Hodge remained the top-scorer for England with an unbeaten 101 off just 61 deliveries, studded with 12 fours and a six, which earned her the Player of the Match award.

Skipper Sciver-Brunt, on the other hand, made a vital contribution with 46 not out from 22 balls, comprising six fours and a six. Madara, who dismissed Jones, remained the solitary wicket-taker for Sri Lanka.