\n<\/p>\n
Wyatt-Hodge always been one of England’s most fascinating cricketers. She jokes and smiles, but that should never be confused with anything but fierce determination.<\/p>\n
As a cricketer, she as resilient as they come.<\/p>\n
Wyatt-Hodge made her debut in the same Mumbai ODI as Heather Knight and the pair are now the longest-serving members of this England set-up.<\/p>\n
From the World Cup win at Lord’s in 2017 to last year’s Ashes drubbing down under. Together they have witnessed it all.<\/p>\n
But while Knight was front and centre nine years ago as captain, Wyatt-Hodge was a bit-part player. She played five matches before others returned from injury for the trophy tilt.<\/p>\n
Now, at 35, there is still time for this career’s defining chapter.<\/p>\n
While Wyatt-Hodge took her parental leave, debate bubbled about who would be England’s openers when the big time came in this tournament.<\/p>\n
Sophia Dunkley’s form faltered and Amy Jones was promoted. The one certainty, despite her absence, was always England’s diminutive right-hander.<\/p>\n
Bleary-eyed from the sleepless nights, she made 29 when she did return against India last month in Bristol. Three single-figure scores followed but again England did not waver.<\/p>\n
“Some people just need a bit of pressure and a bit of ‘something’ on a game,” said another former team-mate Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who watched on from the commentary box.<\/p>\n
“This is exactly the sort of environment she needs.<\/p>\n
“As a cricketer you can thrive or you can go within yourself, and she thrives with situations like these.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t be surprised if she is the highest run-scorer of this tournament now.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was also fitting that when Wyatt-Hodge reached three figures, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was at the other end.<\/p>\n
Like Wyatt-Hodge she is a cricketer and mum. Like Wyatt-Hodge she rocked her bat to celebrate reaching three figures at last year’s 50-over World Cup.<\/p>\n
Coincidentally both tons were against the same opposition.<\/p>\n
“It was really nice to have her in the middle to celebrate that hundred \u2013 two mummies,” Wyatt-Hodge said.<\/p>\n
“I got a bit nervous at the end when the crowd was cheering me on. Nat said just take a breath and time it. I was really determined.”<\/p>\n
As Wyatt-Hodge took the crowd’s acclaim and left the field, it was the jettisoned Dunkley who met her first by the boundary edge.<\/p>\n
There is a togetherness building in this squad and Wyatt-Hodge is one of its most popular members.<\/p>\n
“It was pretty emotional. A few of the girls said they had a few tears,” she said of those moments returning to the dressing room.<\/p>\n
It was Graham Gooch who coined the phrase ‘Daddy Hundred’. This was one of the mummy variety.<\/p>\n
After everything, few are more deserving of this moment in the sun than Wyatt-Hodge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n