Virat Kohli fan, Phoebe Litchfield set to rule the roost amid record-breaking run.

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Phoebe Litchfield

Virat Kohli fan, Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield ready to rule the roost. Courtesy: PTI

In Short

Phoebe Litchfield has taken giant strides in her career for Australia
Litchfield holds the record for the joint-fastest fifty in Women’s T20Is
Litchfield also played for Gujarat Giants in the WPL

Back in 2019, when a 16-year-old batter became the youngest, male, or female, to hit a fifty in the Big Bash League (BBL), it gave a glimpse into a bright future of Australian cricket. Phoebe Litchfield, who was playing only her second match in the WBBL, lit up North Sydney Oval. She put forth some exquisite stroke-play that also earned her the Player of the Match award against Brisbane Heat.

 

Praise for Alyssa Healy

Phoebe Litchfield praised Alyssa Healy for her captaincy. Courtesy: PTI

Litchfield donned the Australia jersey at a stage when Meg Lanning was nearing the end of her career. Hence, it was only a handful of matches that the young southpaw played under Lanning, who retired last year in November. Meg’s successor, Alyssa Healy, has taken charge of Litchfield and the women’s team permanently since the multi-format series in India last year.

Having played all three formats under the veteran wicketkeeper, Litchfield praised her for being “competitive” and finding the right balance between keeping the mood light and being “serious” on the ground. Litchfield said that Healy has taken over from Lanning effectively and has the right mindset to bring more glory for Australia.

“I actually played only three games under Meg’s leadership and so, cannot speak about her as much as I can speak about Alyssa. But both are awesome captains and unique in their own rights. Meg had a reserved way of leadership and was so good, both on and off the field.

“Alyssa is similar as she is very reserved and competitive. She will do what it takes to win for her team. Her energy is awesome, she is always up for a laugh and giggle, but also knows when to be serious. So, it is a good balance,” Litchfield said.

Inspiration and childhood idols

Phoebe Litchfield plays for the Sydney Thunder in the WBBL. Courtesy: Getty Images

 

“When I was growing up, I looked at Michael Hussey and Adam Gilchrist. In the women’s game, it was the likes of Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy, and it’s pretty cool that I get to play with them. I grew up at a stage when I could watch women’s cricket,” Litchfield said.

It was only last year that Litchfield set the record for the fastest fifty by an Australian in Women’s T20Is, breaking Healy’s record off 21 balls. She raced to an 18-ball half-century against the West Indies and continued her love-affair with the North Sydney Oval. She also hammered the joint-fastest fifty in Women’s T20Is, equalling Sophie Devine’s record against India back in 2015 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

The dream in India

Phoebe Litchfield was the top run-scorer in the ODI series against India last year. Courtesy: PTI

The stint in India meant that Litchfield became one of the hottest properties in the auction for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024. The first player to go under the hammer, Litchfield was bagged by Gujarat Giants for Rs 1 crore. Playing alongside her Australian teammates, Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner was expected to do wonders for her, but that was not the case.