Teen Phoebe Litchfield picked for Australia A ODI and T20 squads
Most year 10 students are busy with school camps and formals, but Phoebe Litchfield has a little bit more on her mind, with the 16-year-old cricket star earning selection for Australia A.
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Most year 10 students are busy with school camps and formals, but all Phoebe Litchfield can think about is playing cricket for Australia A.
The Sydney Thunder youngster has taken WBBL05 by storm, taking on big names and posting a half-century in her second game of the season against reigning champions the Brisbane Heat.
The 16-year-old’s stunning debut has earned Litchfield a place in both the T20 and ODI Australia squads that will play India A on the Gold Coast in December.
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The Kinross Wolaroi student was in the middle of her mathematics homework, when she got the call up.
“I was very, very excited, it’ll be so much fun playing on the team alongside players like Sammy Jo Johnson” she said.
Playing for Australia A could give Litchfield an extra chance to impress Cricket Australia selectors as they compile a 15-player squad for next year’s T20 World Cup.
But for now, the 16-year-old said she is only focused on developing her game and learning as much as possible from her teammates.
“It’s (playing in the T20 World Cup) a long way off,” Litchfield admitted.
“Right now, it doesn’t matter if I’m running the drinks or if I get a game or two, just being around those players and watching them go about their business will be a great thing for me.”
Despite missing two WBBL games due to high school commitments, Litchfield is currently the Thunder’s third highest run scorer (147), trailing behind Alex Blackwell (245) and Rachel Priest (217).
Having grown up watching her idols play in the WBBL, Litchfield is still coming to terms with the fact that people are now watching her on television.
“It didn’t really hit me until I was standing out there, against the Sixers” she said.
“Ash Gardner was bowling, and Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Erin Burns all talking in a group about what their plan was.”
The Orange-based teenager is still adjusting to the increased media attention she’s received since her WBBL debut.
“There’s more people watching, but I guess I try not to think about it,” she said.
“Sometimes I don’t know why they’re asking me, I’m like are you sure you want my take on this, but I’m taking it all in my stride.
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“But I still get to go back to school and be a normal 16-year-old which is nice, and chill out with friends to make it less surreal.”
Australia A T20 Squad:
Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Josie Dooley, Heather Graham, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Sammy Jo Johnson, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland
Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.
Australia A One-Day squad:
Maitlan Brown, Heather Graham, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Georgia Redmayne, Sammy Jo Johnson, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Tahlia Wilson.
Originally published as Teen Phoebe Litchfield picked for Australia A ODI and T20 squads