WBBL: Phoebe Litchfield declares Australia ‘still the best’, named Thunder captain

Australia’s budding superstar Phoebe Litchfield is confident the national team is still the best in the world despite failing to defend their T20 World Cup title.

Australia’s budding superstar Phoebe Litchfield is confident the national team is still the best in the world despite failing to defend their T20 World Cup title.

The Australian women’s team were knocked out in the semi finals by South Africa during this month’s World Cup in the UAE, with New Zealand eventually going on to win their maiden title.

While Litchfield admitted there was disappointment surrounding the result, it hasn’t dented the side’s belief that they are still the world’s number-one team.

“The last few days were challenging,” Litchfield said.

Phoebe Litchfield is adamant Australia is still the best in the world. Picture: Getty Images

“We definitely wanted to be in that final and lift the trophy but as you say it’s a tough tournament to win, very cutthroat when you have to win every game and, we just didn’t play our best cricket in that semi.

“I still feel like our team is the best in the world and even on some of our poorer days we still managed to win games of cricket.

“We came up against a really good South African side that has improved dramatically over the last 12 months since that World Cup in South Africa. They played out of their skin and we didn’t.

“It was tough to take but a lot of learnings which is good.”

Litchfield’s ascension in cricketing circles continued on Friday after she was unveiled as Sydney Thunder captain for the upcoming WBBL season.

Phoebe Litchfield was named the Thunder’s captain for the upcoming WBBL season. Picture: Getty Images

At just 21, it’s a big increase in responsibility for Litchfield who will be leading some of the world’s best players including England captain Heather Knight and Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu.

She has already had a handful of captaincy experience at various representative levels as high up as the NSW Second XI. But this promotion is a sign of the high regard she is held in by many at the Thunder.

While her new role will take in simple things like going out for the toss – “Tails never fails in New South Wales,” Litchfield quipped – there will be an increased expectation on her to lead both on the field and the scoreboard.

Phoebe Litchfield has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of Australia’s household names. Picture: Getty Images

However, the Thunder felt the talented batter was ready to take on the title and she believes that finding a balance in her duties will help her become an even better player.

“They approached me and said how do I feel about it?” Litchfield said. “It was always my decision at the end of the day which was really comforting from them.

“They never made me feel pressured to do it at all. It’s a step in my cricketing journey. It’s a big step for me, but I’m super excited.

“Hopefully it makes me a better player, but at the end of the day … it will only grow my game. It probably gets me out of my own mind. I’ve got to care about 11 other players on the field, and I think it’ll help my game in a cricketing sense as well, thinking more about the game in different ways.”

Originally published as WBBL: Phoebe Litchfield declares Australia ‘still the best’, named Thunder captain