Danni Wyatt-Hodge has backed Sophia Dunkley to answer the growing pressure around England’s top order with “fireworks”, as competition for batting places sharpens just days before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins on home soil.
England are trying to settle their best XI at exactly the wrong time — or maybe the right one, depending on how you look at it. The World Cup starts on June 12, with England opening against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, and every innings between now and then feels like an audition. Dunkley, who is part of England’s 15-player squad, is among those under the spotlight as the hosts weigh up form, balance and experience before the tournament proper.
Wyatt-Hodge’s public show of faith matters. She knows the rhythm of England’s batting group better than most, and her own return has added another layer to selection talks. The veteran opener is back in the squad after time away following the birth of her first child, giving England experience at the top — but also making the squeeze for places even tighter. ESPNcricinfo reported that Wyatt-Hodge expects “fireworks” from Dunkley as England head into their series decider against India, a match carrying extra weight because of the World Cup clock ticking loudly in the background.
Dunkley’s case is a familiar one: when she gets going, England look dangerous quickly. She can hit down the ground, disrupt lengths, and turn a cautious powerplay into something with bite. But in tournament squads, reputation alone doesn’t buy much time. England’s batting group includes Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Alice Capsey, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson and Wyatt-Hodge herself, while captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is still expected to return from a calf injury. That’s a lot of names, and not many slots.
The pressure has been made worse by England’s mixed India series. They were given a sharp warning in the first T20I, losing by 38 runs after India posted 188 for seven, built around strong half-centuries from Yastika Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues. England replied with 150 for eight, despite Amy Jones making 67. It wasn’t a disaster, no, but it was the kind of defeat that makes selectors look twice at every role.
England did respond well in Bristol, levelling the series with a 26-run win. Freya Kemp changed the mood almost by herself, smashing 39 not out from just 13 balls and then taking two wickets as India were held to 142 for nine. That performance was great news for England. It also made the middle-order debate messier, because Kemp’s late hitting and bowling option are exactly the sort of two-in-one value teams love at World Cups.
That is why Wyatt-Hodge’s backing of Dunkley feels less like a throwaway compliment and more like a reminder. England need hitters who can scare opponents before the knockout stages arrive. They also need clarity. The hosts are in Group 2 with West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Scotland, and their schedule gets serious quickly after the opener: Ireland on June 16, Scotland on June 20, West Indies at Lord’s on June 24, and New Zealand at The Oval on June 27.
The Sciver-Brunt situation is another big piece of this puzzle. England’s captain has not played since injuring her calf in domestic cricket at the end of April, though she has said her recovery is “going to plan” and is aimed at the opening match against Sri Lanka. She has resumed parts of her preparation but, according to the ICC, had not yet returned to bowling at training as of May 29.
For Dunkley, then, the equation is simple enough, even if the pressure isn’t. Score quickly. Look busy. Make England feel they can’t leave her out.
Wyatt-Hodge clearly believes that version of Dunkley is still there. And with a home World Cup about to begin, England could do with those fireworks arriving sooner rather than later.
