Cricket fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the start of the Women’s Ashes series, and one player who has captured the attention of many is Phoebe Litchfield. At just 20 years old, Litchfield has already made a name for herself in the cricketing world with her impressive batting performances.
“I still feel like I’m going to watch the Ashes, I need to remind myself that I’m potentially playing it,” says Phoebe Litchfield. Litchfield is expected to make her test debut this week in the Women’s Ashes series starting from 22nd June, owing to her great form including the 78 she scored in the practice match at the opening position.
A social media video of the left-handed batter practicing cover drives in the New South Wales nets as a 16-year-old went viral in the middle of 2019. This early promise led to her debut in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) for New South Wales, as well as her debut in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) for the Sydney Thunder, where she showcased her batting prowess by scoring a half-century in only her second game.
20 Year Old Australia's Phoebe Litchfield is poised to open in the Ashes test. #CricketTwitter #Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/XpcvH6CZx2
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 18, 2023
Litchfield made her international debut in late 2022 when she was called up to the Australian national team for the T20I tour of India. She made her debut in the One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan a few months later, scoring an outstanding 154 runs. These performances cemented her inclusion in the national squad, which paved the way for a potential appearance in the Women’s Ashes series.
The retirement of Rachael Haynes and the late withdrawal of Meg Lanning created openings at the top of the order for the Australian team. Alongside Alyssa Healy’s desire to move down the order to manage her workload, everything points to Litchfield opening the batting in the Women’s Ashes. Her fearless style of play and impressive technique have garnered praise from teammates and opponents alike, making her a natural choice for this crucial role.
The fact that Litchfield is essentially a specialist batter makes her route to the Women’s Ashes atypical. In an era where many players excel in multiple disciplines, Litchfield’s focus on batting sets her apart. While she does have secondary skills such as wicket-keeping, she has never been pushed into being something she isn’t. She has been able to fine-tune her batting technique and have a thorough understanding of the game because of this single-minded dedication.
Over the past 12 months, Litchfield has worked tirelessly to add power to her T20 cricket, aiming to be as versatile as possible. Last season, she averaged an impressive 49.87 in the WNCL, including a maiden century. While she may not feature in the T20 matches of the Women’s Ashes, her dedication to improving her power game and mental strength will undoubtedly benefit her in the longer format of the game, such as Test matches.
For someone like Litchfield, who has a genuine love for batting, the prospect of playing a Test match is incredibly exciting. The opportunity to bat all day and showcase her skills in the longest format of the game is something she eagerly anticipates. While she acknowledges the mental challenges that come with playing Test cricket, she is keen to embrace the experience and give it her all.
From her early promise as a teenager to her impressive performances at the international level, Litchfield has proven herself to be a formidable batswoman. One may anticipate an impressive exhibition of skills and tenacity from this young talent as she gets ready to open the batting in the Women’s Ashes.
(Quotes sourced from ESPNCricinfo)