Veteran England batter, known for her explosive batting style, joins Surrey’s professional squad to bolster their line-up for the 2025 season.

In a major coup for Surrey’s women’s cricket team, World Cup-winning England star Danni Wyatt-Hodge has joined the club’s newly formed professional squad ahead of the 2025 season. The veteran right-handed batter, who boasts a prolific career spanning 278 international matches, brings her vast experience and match-winning abilities to Surrey’s growing women’s cricket setup.

Wyatt-Hodge, 33, has been a stalwart of England’s women’s cricket since her international debut in 2010. Known for her aggressive and fearless approach, she has scored over 5,000 runs across all formats, cementing her place as one of England’s finest batters. Notably, she holds the record as England’s all-time highest run-scorer in Women’s International T20s (WIT20), amassing 2,979 runs from 164 matches at an impressive strike rate of 127.85. This strike rate is unmatched by any other English player with over 300 IT20 runs, underscoring her explosive impact on the game.

Wyatt-Hodge’s journey to the top began in her home county of Staffordshire, where she made her county debut at the tender age of 14. Her talent and flair quickly caught the eye, leading to her international debut just five years later at 19. Over the years, she honed her skills further with stints at Nottinghamshire and Sussex, eventually becoming a key player for the Southern Vipers and Lancashire Thunder in the now-defunct Kia Super League.

More recently, Wyatt-Hodge has made her mark in the franchise circuits, representing the Southern Vipers in regional cricket and the Southern Brave in The Hundred. She also showcased her talents in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she recently switched from UP Warriorz to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Currently, she’s plying her trade with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), demonstrating her versatility across global T20 leagues.

Upon her signing with Surrey, Wyatt-Hodge expressed her enthusiasm for this new chapter in her career. “I am both excited and honoured to be joining Surrey,” she said. “The club has an incredible history with a culture of success, and I am eager to contribute to that legacy. I’ve always loved playing at the Kia Oval, and I can’t wait to entertain the passionate Surrey supporters.”

Wyatt-Hodge’s decision to join Surrey was also influenced by the positive and aggressive style of play championed by the South East Stars, Surrey’s affiliated regional team. “The South East Stars’ positive brand of cricket was a big factor in my decision,” she added. “I’m thrilled to be part of a club that aligns with my style of play. I’m looking forward to getting started!”

Emma Calvert, Surrey’s Director of Women’s Cricket, hailed the signing as a significant boost to the club’s ambitions. “We are incredibly excited that Danni Wyatt-Hodge has agreed to commit to Surrey for the 2025 season,” Calvert stated. “Danni’s illustrious career speaks volumes, and her experience will not only strengthen our line-up on the field but also bring invaluable leadership to the squad.”

Calvert emphasised that Wyatt-Hodge’s attacking cricket mindset fits perfectly with Surrey’s vision for their new team. “After speaking with Danni, it was clear that her approach to the game mirrors exactly how we want to play our cricket,” she noted. “Her dynamic style and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with what we are building here at Surrey, and I can’t wait to see her perform in the Three Feathers.”

The signing of Wyatt-Hodge signals Surrey’s commitment to building a formidable women’s team, one that can compete at the highest levels in English domestic cricket. As women’s cricket continues to grow in popularity, both at home and abroad, the addition of a player of Wyatt-Hodge’s calibre is a statement of intent from Surrey, showing that they are serious about their aspirations for success.

With the 2025 season on the horizon, all eyes will be on Wyatt-Hodge as she looks to make an immediate impact in her new colours. Fans at the Kia Oval will be eagerly anticipating the fireworks she is known for, as Surrey aim to establish itself as a force in women’s cricket.