England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge has backed long-time opening partner Sophia Dunkley and believes a big score is coming soon. Even though Dunkley has not made a big score recently, Wyatt-Hodge is confident the opener will play an important role for England as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 gets closer.
England and India are currently level 1-1 in their three-match T20I series. India won the first match in Chelmsford by 38 runs after scoring 188/7 and restricting England to 150/8. England came back strongly in Bristol, winning by 26 runs after posting 168/5 and holding India to 142/9. The series decider will be played in Taunton on June 2, with both teams looking to finish the series on a high before the World Cup.
Dunkley has reached double figures in six of her last seven innings for club and country but has not gone beyond 31. In the ongoing India series, she scored 16 in the first T20I and 10 in the second. Before that, she made 22, 26 and 8 in England’s T20I series against New Zealand.
Despite those scores, Wyatt-Hodge believes Dunkley is batting well and playing the game the right way.
“I’ve opened the batting with Sophia Dunkley for a number of years now, and we all know how good Sophia is,” Wyatt-Hodge said.
“Taking the game on from ball one, that’s what she does at her best. It’s not an easy thing to do, especially when the ball’s swinging a lot and moving off the pitch.”
Wyatt-Hodge said the pair have enjoyed many successful partnerships over the years and she is excited to continue opening alongside Dunkley.
“But Dunks has been so successful at the top, and we’ve put some good partnerships on together, and I’m really looking forward to getting out there with her tomorrow, and then obviously in the World Cup as well.”
Dunkley is also facing competition for a place in England’s strongest XI. Alice Capsey impressed at the top of the order while Wyatt-Hodge was on maternity leave and scored an unbeaten 74 against India. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is also expected to return from injury before the World Cup, during the warmup fixtures.
Still, Wyatt-Hodge believes Dunkley is doing exactly what England need from an attacking opener. “I said to her the other day, her intent has been unbelievable,” she said.
“You fail more times than not, opening the batting in T20 cricket, that’s just the nature of the game. But she’s thrown herself out there to be brave from ball one, and that’s a credit to her.”
Wyatt-Hodge feels Dunkley is close to turning her starts into a big innings. “I’m so proud of her, and she looks really good, and I think a big score is just around the corner.”
“Hopefully here at Taunton, it’s normally quite a nice batting track. So, yeah, I’m expecting fireworks from Sophia tomorrow night. That would be great for her.”
“She’s been so successful in this format for England over the last few years, and walking out with her is an amazing feeling. We have a good laugh out there, and hopefully there’s a few more smiles tomorrow.”
Dunkley’s overall T20 record shows why England continue to back her. In 77 T20Is, she has scored 1,327 runs at an average of 24.57 and a strike rate of 122.07. Her highest score is 81 not out, and she has six half-centuries.
She has also enjoyed success in franchise cricket. In The Hundred, she has scored 1,065 runs in 40 matches at an average of 31.32 and a strike rate of 128.62, including seven half-centuries. In the Women’s Big Bash League, she has scored 571 runs in 24 matches with four fifties. During the Women’s Premier League, she scored 121 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 175.36.
These numbers show why England still see Dunkley as an important player in their batting line-up and why the team continues to back her.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s in this first major media appearance since the birth of her daughter Daisy 12 days ago spoke about becoming a parent and how special the experience has been. “People can tell you things, but until you’re in it, you don’t really get it,” she said.
“It’s just incredible. Those first few nights at home were something I’ve obviously never experienced before, but wow, she’s just beautiful. And Georgie, my wife, is doing very well as well. So I’m very proud of my girls. We’ve got a new supporter in Daisy, she can’t wait to come watch us.”
After returning to the England squad, Wyatt-Hodge said the mood in the camp is very positive as the World Cup gets closer.
“I’ve not been around the group for that long, but there feels like a very good vibe around the group. A nice calm composed vibe. Everyone’s enjoying each other’s company.”
“We’ve got a few more games before the first game of the World Cup, and everyone’s chomping at the bit to get out there whenever we get the opportunity.”
England begin their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on June 12, and Wyatt-Hodge said excitement is growing every day.
“Everyone’s really excited. Everyone’s talking about the first game coming up, even all the fans. People are saying ‘not long now to the first World Cup game’. I think it’s really important that we do stay present, but obviously it’s only natural that we’re really excited for that first game.”
Wyatt-Hodge was part of England’s ODI World Cup-winning team in 2017, held in the United Kingdom, and believes that experience can help the current squad.
“You know there’s probably going to be a bit more pressure on us. It’s a home World Cup, but I think we just need to really enjoy the opportunity. They don’t come around very often, so for me anyway, I’m just going to really enjoy the opportunity.”
“I’m hungry to score runs and contribute for my country, and I know that everyone else in my team will be the same.”
Looking back at England’s successful 2017 World Cup campaign, Wyatt-Hodge explained how the team stayed focused throughout the tournament.
“That’s what we did in the 2017 World Cup. We had an eye on that final at Lord’s, but we just really focused and planned for each game as it comes. We’ll go to training, look at what the opposition’s going to be like, what we’re going to come up against, go out there, try and win that, and then move on to the next game. I think that’s what we’ll be doing.”
With the series level at 1-1 and the Women’s T20 World Cup only days away, England will hope to finish the India series with a win in Taunton. Wyatt-Hodge believes Dunkley’s big innings is not far away, and England will be hoping those promised “fireworks” arrive before the World Cup begins.
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