Lionesses win would be ‘huge’ for women’s sport

The Lionesses’ familiar faces greet Danni Wyatt-Hodge at almost every turn when she visits her neighborhood supermarket.

At Sunday’s inaugural women’s T20 Blast finals day at The Oval, the England batter is hoping to add another trophy to her already impressive collection.

She is also firmly in the same boat as Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, and the rest of the team when they face Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2025 final because she is aware of the impact that another triumph would have on women’s cricket in England and the development of cricket there.

“I told my wife that if the Lionesses win the Euros once more, it will be huge.” Everyone will start talking about it again, according to Wyatt-Hodge, 34, who told BBC Sport, so it’s going to be great for women’s football and women’s sport.

“You go into supermarkets right now, and you see Lionesses all over the shelves.” The England cricket girls, I hope one day.

The Lionesses have fought their way to a second consecutive Euros final while Wyatt-Hodge has closely watched from home.

They will face off against Spain, who won the World Cup final two years ago.

Since England’s victory over Germany in the Euro 2022 final on home soil at Wembley, Wyatt-Hodge claimed that women’s sport had “gone through a hulk.”

England’s all-time top T20 run-scorer is hoping that when England and Wales host the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2015, she can inspire the next generation of female players.

If we can win the home World Cup the following summer, she said, “It will be huge for us.”

Where I lived, there was no women’s cricket when I first started playing. Since I was the only woman in Stoke-on-Trent, there has grown to a whole league, which is amazing. Just hope girls are aware of the nearby schools where they can play.

Already a World Cup winner with England, Wyatt-Hodge has played in packed stadiums at the Women’s Premier League in India, and he has also played in the Australian Big Bash League.

She has a fantastic first season with Surrey after agreeing to a new contract earlier this month. She represents Southern Brave in the Hundred.

Her team, who have won the group stage by ten points and are the favorites heading into Sunday’s finals, will now advance to the final.

The Blaze and Bears Women winner will square off against them in the semi-final, and Wyatt-Hodge wants to bring it all back home.

Everyone has participated in the tournament at some point, which shows the squad depth, she said, and it’s an honor to play for Surrey. “I just really hope we get the job done,” she said.

“It’s been amazing to play with the boys on some of the country’s best venues for the double-headers.”

“It’s a dream for me to play as a batter at The Oval.” The outfield is so quick and the pitch is so flat.