Dannii Wyatt-Hodge will open the batting for England at the Women’s T20 World Cup this week, still on cloud nine following the birth of her daughter last month.
England begin their campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday as they bid for a first T20 title since 2009 – when they won the inaugural edition on home soil – and Wyatt-Hodge has extra motivation to perform well.
Wife Georgie gave birth to the couple’s first child on 20 May, causing Wyatt-Hodge to miss England’s white-ball series against New Zealand and T20 matches against India on maternity leave.
Since back in the ranks, Wyatt-Hodge admitted she has sought advice from Nat Sciver-Brunt on parenthood and international career, after the England captain welcomed a son with former team-mate Katherine Sciver-Brunt last year.
Wyatt-Hodge told the Press Association, “It puts things into perspective – it will be nice to have another focus away from cricket because now her (daughter) is the only thing that matters.”
“Nate Sciver-Brunt has a young son and I’ve been talking to her about how she manages it all and balances cricket and family life. She says ‘it’s the best thing ever’. I’m still on cloud nine.”
Wyatt-Hodge is set for his eighth T20 World Cup, 16 years after his debut in the tournament, when he won the player of the match award with figures of four for 11 against South Africa in St Kitts and Nevis.
His off-spinning days are long behind him but at the age of 35, with 304 international appearances to his name, Wyatt-Hodge insists he is still far from being locked in and his competitive spirit is as bright as ever.
“I still feel like one of the youngsters, to be honest I can’t believe I’ve played more than 300 times for England,” she said.
“It’s a bit surreal, I think I’ll look back when my career is done, but the hunger is still there, I want to keep improving and getting better and pushing myself.”
Wyatt-Hodge first burst onto the global stage in front of Caribbean fans in 2010, but more than 150,000 tickets have already been sold for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The curtain-raising event will see 53 purple seats installed across Birmingham, recognizing 53 women from all levels and backgrounds who have shaped the future of cricket, reflecting the number of years since the first Women’s Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973.
Wyatt-Hodge, one of 53, said: “When I started playing for England I was earning £1,000 a month and I was happy with that.” “But now these players are coming in and earning a lot more. That’s right.
“It’s scary to think where women’s cricket will be in the next few years.”
