Ashes debutant Phoebe Litchfield prepares for her biggest Test yet

Phoebe Litchfield has yielded lessons from an Aussie legend as she prepares to make her Ashes debut. LACHLAN MCKIRDY finds out more.

Phoebe Litchfield has yielded lessons from Rachael Haynes’ Ashes approach.

Phoebe Litchfield is set to cap an incredible first year in international cricket by making her Test debut against England on Thursday.

The dynamic left-handed opener looks set to open the batting with Beth Mooney as Alyssa Healy slides down the order.

But there’s one thought on her mind: don’t get out first ball.

“I’ll let Moons (Mooney) get the first rock if that happens,” she says.

“That would be the worst, imagine, debuting for Australia and she gets a royal duck.”

Behind the slight sense of trepidation at facing the first Dukes ball at Trent Bridge is a young batter with the world at her feet.

Regularly described as a teenage phenom – a term that will need updating, “I’m 20 now!” she exclaims – Litchfield has had a brilliant start to life in Australian colours.

She impressed against Pakistan in three ODIs in January with her average currently sitting at 154, showing she is tailor-made for the game’s longest formats.

Rachael Haynes averaged 34.8 in Test cricket.

That was followed by an impressive 78 against England A in their final hit-out before the Ashes start.

At the heart of that success is how quickly Litchfield has adjusted to life as an international cricketer, something she is still not used to referring to herself as.

“I’m about to say, ‘I’m going to watch the Ashes on TV’, and then I’m like, ‘No wait, I’ll actually be playing in them’.

“It’s been hard to get my head around, it’s also such a cool thing to think that I can work full time and focus on cricket and become the best player I can. To travel the world is another thing.

“As soon as I came into the side, they were all really welcoming. With the success that they have, it’s always tough to get into the side, and when there are new players nothing changes.

“You follow the leader and learn the way of the ropes.”

Litchfield is one of Australian cricket’s biggest rising stars.

Litchfield’s pure batting technique has played a big part in her meteoric rise, with viral videos and centuries for fun in Australia.

But there’s no better examination of the versatility of a batter than an away Ashes series.

Their last warm-up game in Grace Road in Leicester may have been a flat batter’s paradise, but the Aussies are not expecting that to be the case for the rest of the tour.

Testing herself against the swinging Dukes ball is a challenge Litchfield can’t wait to take on.

Brought in as the main batting replacement for a team that has lost the experience of Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes, the pressure to perform is tangible.

That’s why the 20-year-old has left no stone unturned in her preparation, even watching footage of her old Sydney Thunder teammate.

“I definitely watched [Rachael Haynes’] highlights in the Ashes series, both away and home, just to see how a lefty approaches it,” she says.

“It’s probably about refining the technique. You can’t slash cover drives on the up because you’re going to be found out.

Litchfield has made an impressive start to her international career.

“So it’s just playing the high percentages and especially in the longer format, you’ve got a bit more time.

“It comes down to mindset. If you have a good enough technique and shot range, it should be able to transfer [between formats].”

The Ashes might be a daunting occasion to make your Test debut, but it’s one Litchfield has quickly proven she is ready for.

This series looks set to be the battle of the young guns, and two of Australia’s stars think Litchfield is at the top of the list.

“What an amazing time to be Phoebe Litchfield,” says captain Alyssa Healy.

“She’d be licking her lips to be part of an Ashes series and probably take a spot in that top order.”

“You just look at the class of her stroke production and the way that she can compile innings at such a young age, she is just a pure cricketer,” adds Ellyse Perry.

“I think she’s probably just one of those people who’s born to play at the top level. It was never going to be too soon for her to do that.

“She took the opportunity against Pakistan and England’s gonna be a step up for her but it’s going to be lovely to see the start of what’s going to be a very successful and long career no doubt.”

Litchfield quickly made a name for herself in the WBBL.

Litchfield’s career had its genesis at the family home in Orange.

She and her brother would play in the backyard and then regularly watch highlights of the men’s 2005 Ashes series on YouTube.

Now it’s her turn to be the latest Aussie tormentor in front of sold-out crowds across England.

“I think just the history of the Ashes full stop, it’s an awesome rivalry,” Litchfield says.

“I’ve played a few two-day matches back home in country NSW but nothing like a Test match. I’m just going to try and embrace it if the chance comes.

“I think I look back and think of childhood, well I’m still a child, but I think of young Pheebs in the backyard playing cricket.

“You’d get those baggy greens in Weet-Bix packs and you’d want to wear them all the time, even watching the Aussies on TV.

“To think I could be one of those now is pretty cool.”

Originally published as Ashes debutant Phoebe Litchfield prepares for her biggest Test yet