Mummy hundred: Wyatt-Hodge finally gets her moment in the sun

A Triumphant Return

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, one of England's most experienced women's cricketers, has proven that motherhood is no barrier to athletic achievement. She gave birth on May 20 and was back in pads just 10 days later. Now, in the opening match of the home World Cup, she scored a thrilling century to set England on their way to a commanding win.

Emotional Celebration

After reaching three figures, Wyatt-Hodge celebrated by rocking her bat in her arms like a baby. Her wife Georgie and daughter Daisy watched on TV from home. "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. She admitted she misses her family dearly: "I've not seen her for six days and it feels like six months. It is all I think about, even in the night."

Resilient Cricketer

Now 35, Wyatt-Hodge made her England debut in the same ODI as Heather Knight, and the pair are the longest-serving members of the side. While Knight captained the team to World Cup glory in 2017, Wyatt-Hodge was a bit-part player. Now, she is writing her own defining chapter. After parental leave, she returned with 29 against India in Bristol, then a string of low scores. But England never wavered. "Some people just need a bit of pressure and ... she thrives in situations like these," said former teammate Katherine Sciver-Brunt.

Team Spirit

When Wyatt-Hodge reached her hundred, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (also a mother) was at the other end and celebrated similarly. "It was really nice to have her in the middle to celebrate that hundred — two mummies," Wyatt-Hodge said. The moment was emotional; teammates said they cried. Wyatt-Hodge is one of the most popular players in the squad, and this century was a deserved reward after all she has been through.

Graham Gooch famously coined the term 'Daddy Hundred'. This was a 'Mummy Hundred'.