‘No doubt’: NSW teenager Phoebe Litchfield ready for international cricket after breakthrough century

The future of Australian cricket is in safe hands, with teenager Phoebe Litchfield scoring up her maiden WNCL century over the weekend.

The future of Australian cricket is in safe hands.

Teenage prodigy Phoebe Litchfield brought up her maiden Women’s National Cricket League century on Sunday, scoring a classy 107 (105) against Western Australia at the picturesque North Sydney Oval.

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The 19-year-old combined with New South Wales teammate Tahlia Wilson (101 off 127 balls) for a 195-run partnership, the third-largest in Breakers’ history, steering their side towards a comprehensive 58-run victory.

Player of the Match Litchfield, who will represent the Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League this summer, smacked 15 boundaries and a glorious six over long off during her breakthrough knock.

Serious talent here! https://t.co/u7dxelVdCn

— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) October 2, 2022

Phoebe Litchfield with a beautiful century for the Breakers and maybe setting a record for the world’s most low key celebration 😂 #WNCLpic.twitter.com/L33iEeVOjR

— Megan Maurice (@meganmaurice) October 2, 2022

Phoebe Litchfield century!

Her first in the #WNCL and I doubt it will be her last!

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) October 2, 2022

Largest partnerships for New South Wales in the WNCL

232 – Alex Blackwell and Ellyse Perry vs ACT, 2015

228 – Alex Blackwell and Lisa Sthalekar vs WA, 2010

195 – Phoebe Litchfield & Tahlia Wilson vs WA, 2022

The sudden retirement of Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes has created a vacancy in the national women’s team, and Litchfield is emerging as a genuine candidate to replace the two-time World Cup champion in the Test and ODI starting XI.

Speaking ahead of the last week’s WNCL season opener, Breakers and Thunder teammate Sammy-Jo Johnson praised Litchfield’s maturity and backed the young left-hander to flourish on the international stage if given the opportunity.

“She’s had a belter of a pre-season,” Johnson told news.com.au last month.

“She’s obviously been in and around the Aussie squad training during the pre-season, and I dare say you’ll see her hopefully in green and gold in the next 6-12 months the way she’s performing.

“I think she’s primed and ready to have another big season for us.

“She’s only a kid, but the way she reads the game is unlike anyone I’ve seen at her age.

“Obviously you don’t want to put extra pressure on the kid to perform and do all these things and play for Australia, but I just think she’s been earmarked from a young age and I have no doubt that she’ll handle the pressure of international cricket.”

Sydney Thunder’s Phoebe Litchfield. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Queensland openers Georgia Redmayne and Georgia Voll are also in the running for an international debut this summer, with the latter scoring an impressive 145 against New South Wales at North Sydney Oval last month.

Litchfield, who grew up in regional New South Wales, burst onto the scene in October 2019 with a 22-ball 26 against the Sydney Sixers on WBBL debut at the age of 16. Her skill was undeniable, but she understandably lacked the power required to consistently clear the boundary rope.

Over the following 24 months, she developed her match awareness and increased her body strength to quickly transform into a well-rounded batter capable of excelling in all three formats.

The teenager was named last summer’s WBBL Young Gun, awarded to the best player under 21 years of age, as selected by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel.

Litchfield became a stalwart for the Thunder and the Breakers while juggling school and university commitments, earning a call-up to the Australia A squad earlier this year.

And she proved her worth by finishing the three-match series against England A as the highest run-scorer, cracking back-to-back fifties in Canberra.

Litchfield is adamant she’s ready for international cricket, but the humble wunderkind understands she may need to bide her time.

“I definitely could pick five other people who could bat before me in that spot,” she told news.com.au earlier this year.

“I look at the top-order for Australia, and they’re amazing. It’s going to take a lot more runs to put my name up, or for a few people to retire I think for me to get an opportunity.

“All I can do is keep scoring runs and putting my name up.

“I’d love to be playing cricket for Australia. It’s one of my goals, and I think if I can keep getting better, opportunities will come up.”

Phoebe Litchfield of New South Wales. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Litchfield’s journey to the WBBL was unconventional – she had to compete alongside the boys while learning her craft because of limited resources for aspiring female cricketers in Orange.

Apart from a handful of matches for ACT Country, she rarely got the chance to play against other girls during her youth – which potentially worked in her favour.

“It actually paid dividends for my cricket,” she explained.

“Playing with the boys, playing with the men, it sort of fast-tracked all my skills.

“I was facing cricket bowling that I would have never faced playing girls’ cricket.

“I was just one of the boys and when I was younger. I didn‘t really feel like I was out of place … they were really welcoming.”

The Thunder will get their WBBL campaign underway on Friday, October 14, facing the Hobart Hurricanes at Blacktown ISP Oval.

Originally published as ‘No doubt’: NSW teenager Phoebe Litchfield ready for international cricket after breakthrough century