Danni_Wyatt-Hodge (PC: X)
Danni Wyatt-Hodge isn’t just having a great WBBL season, she’s having the WBBL season. After being left out of England’s ODI World Cup XI in favour of Emma Lamb and Sophia Dunkley, despite their repeated failures, Wyatt-Hodge has responded in the only way elite athletes know: by letting the bat make the noise selectors refused to hear.
In four innings, she has piled up 251 runs at an extraordinary average of 83.61 and a strike-rate of 155.90, with two half-centuries. She is the tournament’s highest run-scorer, owns the highest strike-rate, and sits atop the charts for both fours (29) and sixes (7). Her dominance is one of the biggest reasons behind Hobart Hurricanes’ perfect 4-0 start.
Which franchise could bid for her?
Wyatt-Hodge is a specialist opener, so the WPL franchises’ needs come sharply into focus. Mumbai Indians appear least likely, G Kamalini and Hayley Matthews lock down their top order, and MI generally prefer younger back-up options. The only wildcard: England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt’s presence, which could push Wyatt-Hodge’s case.
Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have a genuine opening vacancy alongside Shafali Verma. Wyatt-Hodge could shoulder the aggressor’s role, freeing Shafali to play with complete abandon, something DC would welcome.
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RCB, her 2025 WPL franchise, might be tempted too. Though she scored 137 runs in six innings last season at 22.83, the left-right pairing with Smriti Mandhana remains attractive. And with her current form, RCB may consider continuity over reinvention.
UP Warriorz have purse, intent, and multiple slots to fill. Yet the fact they traded Wyatt-Hodge out despite the then England coach being their WPL coach suggests she is unlikely to be a priority, though auction dynamics could still bring her into play as a back-up opener.
Gujarat Giants need an opener alongside Beth Mooney, but Michael Klinger’s heavy preference for Australians makes an English batter an unlikely fit, especially with Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield in the mix.
Of course, everything hinges on when her name comes up at the auction table, auction timing can rewrite logic.
What has changed? Why is she worth fighting for now?
First, Wyatt-Hodge is finishing games, something she struggled with earlier. Twice in this WBBL, she has taken Hurricanes home in tricky chases: a 90 against Sydney Thunder in a 143-run stand with Nicola Carey, and an unbeaten 72 against Adelaide Strikers when no other batter crossed 20. This new steel in high-pressure moments is priceless.
Second, her spin-hitting has become a superpower. Excluding Sophie Ecclestone, the only spinner who has troubled her, Wyatt-Hodge has brutalised spin bowlers: 105 runs off 60 balls, strike-rate 175, and six sixes. Six of her seven sixes this season have come against spin, gold dust on subcontinental pitches.
In a year where England will reassess selections and WPL teams will fight for impact players who thrive under pressure, Danni Wyatt-Hodge has placed herself not just in the conversation, but at the top of the list.
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