Fresh off guiding Penrith to their maiden women’s first grade title last month, local batting sensation Phoebe Litchfield will be looking to do the same when she represents Australia in the upcoming Women’s Ashes Tour of the UK.
The New South Wales rising star, who made her One-Day International debut in January, is the only change to the Australian squad that secured a record-breaking sixth T20 World Cup title in South Africa earlier this year.
Late last month, the 19-year-old was the star of the Women’s Premier Cricket Grand Final, putting on a Player of the Match performance, smashing 99 runs in Penrith’s dominant nine wicket, 25-over victory against Northern District.
Australia are set to play one Test match, three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals as part of the multi-format series from mid-June to mid-July, while an Australia A squad will play three T20s as well as three 50-over fixtures, running concurrently to the Ashes.
Additionally, Australia and England will each play a three-day warm-up against England A and Australia A respectively in preparation for the Test match at Trent Bridge beginning on June 22.
“Following the success of the side at the recent T20 World Cup, the focus now turns to the exciting challenge of retaining the Ashes away from home,” Cricket Australia Head of Performance (Women’s) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said.
“We’ve been fortunate to have a consistent side across all formats over the past couple of years and as a result we have selected a similar group to the squad which won the T20 World Cup in February.”
The only change to the Australian line-up was that of Litchfield, who was named in the Australia A squad for their series against England A in January 2022.
Flegler believes the Sydney Thunder and Breakers star has a long and bright future in the international game.
“Phoebe Litchfield has taken her game to the next level in the past 12 months, we view her as a long-term player for Australia and it’s pleasing to reward her progress with selection in an Ashes squad,” he said.
“The Australia A squad contains experienced performers in domestic cricket, along with several emerging players who we believe have exciting futures ahead of them.
“It’s hugely beneficial to have an Australia A component to the tour and provide an opportunity for our developing players to test themselves in conditions they may not experience in Australia.
“The nature of the concurrent tours also offers flexibility and allows players to be available for and cross over into both squads, whether it be from a preparation perspective or to provide an opportunity at international level.”
Australia’s squad for the One-Day series against Ireland is set to be announced at the conclusion of the Women’s Ashes Test in Nottingham.
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
