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

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.

>"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.

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>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."

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>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.

>"Some people just need a bit of pressure and a bit of 'something' on a game," said another former team-mate Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who watched on from the commentary box.

>"This is exactly the sort of environment she needs.

>"As a cricketer you can thrive or you can go within yourself, and she thrives with situations like these.

>“Don't be surprised if she is the highest run-scorer of this tournament now.”

>It was also fitting that when Wyatt-Hodge reached three figures, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was at the other end.

>Like Wyatt-Hodge she is a cricketer and mum. Like Wyatt-Hodge she rocked her bat to celebrate reaching three figures at last year's 50-over World Cup.

>Coincidentally both tons were against the same opposition.

>"It was really nice to have her in the middle to celebrate that hundred – two mummies," Wyatt-Hodge said.

>"I got a bit nervous at the end when the crowd was cheering me on. Nat said just take a breath and time it. I was really determined."

>As Wyatt-Hodge took the crowd's acclaim and left the field, it was the jettisoned Dunkley who met her first by the boundary edge.

>There is a togetherness building in this squad and Wyatt-Hodge is one of its most popular members.

>"It was pretty emotional. A few of the girls said they had a few tears," she said of those moments returning to the dressing room.

>It was Graham Gooch who coined the phrase 'Daddy Hundred'. This was one of the mummy variety.

>After everything, few are more deserving of this moment in the sun than Wyatt-Hodge.

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