Danni Wyatt-Hodge returns from maternity leave to 'smash Indian bowlers' in Bristol T20I
Synopsis
Danni Wyatt-Hodge is back — and she means business. Returning from maternity leave with England trailing India 1-0, the opener has promised to 'smash the Indian bowlers' in Bristol. With Linsey Smith also recalled and a World Cup looming, Saturday's T20I is as much a statement of intent as a series decider.
Key Takeaways
Danni Wyatt-Hodge returns from maternity leave for England's 2nd Women's T20I vs India at Bristol on 31 May 2025 .
England trail the three-match series 1-0 and must win to stay alive.
Wyatt-Hodge welcomed daughter Daisy with partner Georgie Wyatt-Hodge during her absence from international cricket.
Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith has also been recalled to the XI after missing the series opener.
Former England pacer Tash Farrant called Wyatt-Hodge's return 'a huge lift' but flagged England's unsettled batting lineup as the biggest concern ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup .
Danni Wyatt-Hodge has declared she is ready to 'smash the Indian bowlers' as the England opener makes her eagerly awaited return from maternity leave for the second Women's T20I against India at Bristol on Saturday, 31 May 2025. England trail the three-match series 1-0 and are counting on Wyatt-Hodge's firepower to level proceedings.
The Return
Wyatt-Hodge sat out the T20I series against New Zealand and the series opener against India to welcome her daughter, Daisy, with partner Georgie Wyatt-Hodge. Her comeback is one of the most high-profile returns in recent England women's cricket, coming at a critical juncture with a World Cup on the horizon.
Speaking ahead of the match, Wyatt-Hodge struck a composed note. 'I've had a lot of cricket over the last few months, with lots of England camps. For me, it's all about being mentally ready. I've played a lot of cricket over the years, and it's all about being calm,' she said in a pre-game chat with broadcasters.
'For me, it's just staying calm and trusting what I've done in the past, trusting my instincts that I'm going to go out there and hopefully smash the Indian bowlers to my areas and don't miss out on my strengths,' she added.
What Wyatt-Hodge Brings to England's Batting
Former England pacer Tash Farrant believes the opener's return is a significant psychological and tactical boost for a batting unit that has looked unsettled. 'It's a huge lift. We know what she can do with the bat; she takes it on from ball one and can run between the wickets. It's the energy she brings. England's batters are a little bit on edge, so she will just calm the nerves,' Farrant said.
Farrant, however, was candid about broader concerns. 'The batting line-up is the biggest uncertainty ahead of the World Cup. It is a huge boost that Wyatt-Hodge is back, and I like the batting depth today. But I don't like how many changes there have been recently and that we don't quite know what the batting line-up is going to be,' she added.
Linsey Smith Back in the Mix
England have also recalled left-arm spinner Linsey Smith to the playing XI after she was absent in the first T20I. Farrant highlighted Smith's importance to England's bowling structure, particularly in the powerplay. 'Linsey Smith has been bowling beautifully, particularly in the Power-play, where she homes in on the stumps. She just sets the tone with Lauren Bell. Smith brings the ball back into the right-hander, while Bell swings the ball away from the right-hander,' she said.
Farrant added that England 'really missed her in the last game' and expressed hope that Smith's absence from the series opener would not disrupt the momentum she had been building in the lead-up to the fixture.
Series Context and What Is at Stake
With India leading 1-0, England must win in Bristol to keep the three-match series alive heading into the decider. The contest carries added weight as both sides use the series as preparation for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup. For England, resolving their batting combination before the tournament is as important as the series result itself.
Point of View
But it papers over a structural problem England cannot afford to ignore: their batting order has been in flux for months, and a World Cup is approaching. Farrant's candid admission that 'we don't quite know what the batting line-up is going to be' is the more revealing quote from Bristol. One player's return, however impactful, does not resolve a selection philosophy that has been shifting from game to game. India, meanwhile, will be watching closely — a settled opponent is always more dangerous than an inspired one.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Danni Wyatt-Hodge miss England's recent matches?
Danni Wyatt-Hodge took time off from the T20I series against New Zealand and the first T20I against India to welcome her daughter, Daisy, with partner Georgie Wyatt-Hodge. She returns for the second T20I against India in Bristol on 31 May 2025.
What is the current series score between England and India Women?
India lead the three-match Women's T20I series 1-0 heading into the second game at Bristol. England must win to keep the series alive.
What did Danni Wyatt-Hodge say about her return?
Wyatt-Hodge said she is focused on 'staying calm and trusting my instincts,' adding that she hopes to 'smash the Indian bowlers to my areas.' She described mental readiness as her key priority after her time away.
Who is Linsey Smith and why does her return matter?
Linsey Smith is a left-arm spinner who has been recalled to England's XI for the second T20I after missing the series opener. According to Tash Farrant, Smith is crucial in the powerplay for her ability to target the stumps and complement Lauren Bell's outswing.
How does this series fit into England's World Cup preparation?
The three-match T20I series against India is part of England's build-up to the Women's T20 World Cup. Settling the batting lineup — identified by Tash Farrant as the 'biggest uncertainty' — is a key objective for the management ahead of the tournament.
