Danni Wyatt-Hodge Aims to Win World Cup with Baby in 2026

Danni Wyatt-Hodge is determined to win the World Cup with her baby girl by her side, despite impending parenthood.

Wyatt-Hodge's Excitement for the World Cup Danni Wyatt-Hodge is thrilled about the upcoming World Cup, saying, 'I can't wait, it's an exciting year ahead!' She would love to lift the trophy with her baby girl, stating, 'That would be pretty surreal.' Wyatt-Hodge's enthusiasm is palpable, but she prefers not to think too far ahead, keeping her focus on the present. ## Parenthood Not a Barrier to Wyatt-Hodge's Form Impending parenthood has not hindered Wyatt-Hodge's form or focus, she claims, 'It's not affecting me.' Wyatt-Hodge believes that having something else to focus on, like her baby, will be beneficial, adding, 'It just puts things into perspective as well.' This mantra has helped her stay relaxed and enjoy her cricket. ## Celebratory Run of Form in the WBBL After learning of her pregnancy, Wyatt-Hodge embarked on a celebratory run of form, scoring 432 runs at 48.00, which helped propel the Hobart Hurricanes to the WBBL title, their first in her career. Wyatt-Hodge jokingly mentions missing out on the Golden Cap for most tournament runs, saying, 'I was unlucky just to miss out on the Golden Cap.' She also recalls a mishap in the final group match against the Adelaide Strikers, where Sophie Ecclestone threw a practice ball under the heavy roller, cancelling the game halfway through and preventing Wyatt-Hodge from batting. ## Continued Strong Form in England's Squad Wyatt-Hodge's strong vein of form continued after leaving Australia, with two matchwinning knocks for Team Heyhoe-Flint during England's intra-squad training camp in South Africa in March. She also started the One-Day Cup with Surrey, scoring consecutive scores of 124 from 80 balls against Warwickshire, and 96 from 83 against Durham. Wyatt-Hodge loves scoring runs for whoever, saying, 'Cricket is such a fickle game, isn't it?' She praises the standard of domestic cricket in England, stating, 'It's going to be scary to see how good it can get in the next 10 years or so.' ## England's World Cup Squad Promises to Be the Toughest Yet Charlotte Edwards, England's head coach, has stated that the World Cup squad will be the toughest yet of her year-long tenure. This is due to the balance between trusting experienced campaigners and throwing the stage over to rising stars, like teenagers Davina Perrin and Tilly Corteen-Coleman. Wyatt-Hodge acknowledges the competition for places, saying, 'There's youngsters coming through, trying to take my spot, and obviously I don't want them to do that.' ## Wyatt-Hodge's Experience as a Role Model As a veteran in the national set-up, Wyatt-Hodge recognizes her role in ensuring that this summer's peak is not the last opportunity for her and her fellow teammates. Wyatt-Hodge says, 'The likes of me, Heather [Knight], Nat [Sciver-Brunt], we've got to keep improving and keep getting better and keep pushing the standard.' She acknowledges the importance of her and other experienced players as role models for the younger team members, saying, 'We've got a massive role in this squad on that front.' ## South Africa Intra-Squad Series Wyatt-Hodge participated in England's intra-squad series in South Africa, where she played for Team Heyhoe-Flint. Despite losing the series 3-2, Wyatt-Hodge emphasizes the value of playing against her team-mates, saying, 'As soon as you walk over that boundary rope, it's game on, and you're trying to smack your mates for six, aren't you?' She praises the opportunity to face top-class bowlers, saying, 'To be facing them every day is only going to be a good thing, and hopefully hold me in good stead for what's to come this summer.' ## Professionalization of the Women's Game Wyatt-Hodge acknowledges the rapid professionalization of the women's game, which has led to new challenges. However, she is comfortable with the dynamics within this evolving set-up. Wyatt-Hodge says, 'I look at the girls that played before us as well. They had to work and play cricket but, even back then, I reckon they were still very grateful for what they got.' She emphasizes the importance of gratitude, saying, 'And that's like me now. I'm so grateful for what I have. I still can't believe I'm getting paid to play cricket.' ## England's World Cup Campaign Wyatt-Hodge's focus is now on the World Cup, which kicks off on June 12. England will face Sri Lanka in their opening match at Edgbaston. Wyatt-Hodge is optimistic about the team's chances, saying, 'A home World Cup doesn't get much better than that. A few of us were around for [the win] in 2017, so we know what it's like. We just need to see it as a massive opportunity to show off to the world how good we are as a team, and take each game as it comes.'