England rewrote the history books in emphatic fashion at Edgbaston, posting the highest team total in Women’s T20 World Cup history — 219/1 — before beating Sri Lanka by 87 runs in their tournament opener.In front of 14,865 fans in the sunshine, England’s batting line-up produced an almost flawless display of power and precision, with Danny Whitehodge making an unbeaten 105 off 62 balls. The total eclipsed all previous standards in the competition and set the tone for what a home campaign could be.The innings was built on a brilliant opening stand of 135 runs between White Hodge and Amy Jones, the highest opening partnership for England in Women’s T20 World Cup history, as the Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to keep up the scoring rate.
A late onslaught pushes England into record territory.
England’s charge of 219 accelerated in the closing stages, conceding 26 runs in the last over alone – the joint second costliest over in Women’s T20 World Cup history. This late surge ensured that England comfortably outlasted the previous tournament and Sri Lanka faced an unreal chase.Captain Nate Skewer Burnt added to the momentum with an unbeaten 46 off 22 balls, overtaking Charlotte Edwards to become England’s highest run-scorer in the Women’s T20 World Cup with 784 runs.Wyatt-Hodge later completed his century in style, reaching three figures before ending the innings with a last-ball boundary on 105 not out – his third T20 international century.
Highest team total in Women’s T20 World Cup history
- 219/1 — ENG-W v SL-W, Edgbaston, 2026
- 213/5 — ENG-W v PAK-W, Cape Town, 2023
- 195/3 — SA-W v THA-W, Canberra, 2020
- 194/5 — IND-W v NZ-W, Providence, 2018
- 191/4 — AUS-W v IRE-W, Sylhet, 2014
Sri Lanka crumbled under the mounting pressure.
Chasing 220, Sri Lanka could never recover from the early setback and were eventually bowled out for 132. Left-arm fast bowler Freya Kemp starred with a career-best 4/21, including a devastating spell that took three wickets in a single over to destroy the middle order.Earlier, Chamari Athapatthu fell cheaply after a brilliant diving catch by White Hodge, who also contributed to the field during England’s all-round performance.Sri Lanka’s innings came to a swift end under scoreboard pressure as England sealed a crucial victory to open their campaign in record fashion.
