Murray Wenzel |
Phoebe Litchfield is living out her wildest dreams but as Australia’s “new kid” on the women’s Ashes tour admits there are some genuine fears.
They aren’t cricket-related though, the classy left-hander admitting it’s another sport that had her tossing and turning before the team arrived in England last week.
“Apparently there was a team golf group chat and people got removed because they weren’t contributing enough,” she told AAP before departing.
“I don’t want to be that annoying, little new kid that wants to be a part of everything.
“I’m actually nervous. Do I bring my golf clubs, do I fit in this group?”
Turns out the 20-year-old did put her clubs on the plane and has already played a round to dust off the cobwebs before the side’s series-opening Test at Trent Bridge from June 22.
Litchfield’s more assured about her batting, insisting she’s ready if called on to open in a Test debut that’s firmed since the late withdrawal of captain Meg Lanning.
She could be a straight swap for Lanning in the middle order, but wicketkeeper and new captain Alyssa Healy is set to slide down the order in the Test match.
And when it comes to opening for Australia, Litchfield literally has runs on the board after seizing her chance earlier this year in ODI cricket.
Unbeaten in two of her three innings as an opener, Litchfield boasts an average of 154 in the 50-over format for Australia.
“It is a hard place to bat but if you said, ‘Hey, do you want to open?’ I’m putting my hand up,” she said.
Healy is the undisputed golf champion of the team and an idol of Litchfield’s, along with other core members Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney.
“The fact I can play with them, it’s a dream,” she said.
“I grew up watching them, these idols, heroes and they’re just people I now get to play with.
“Healy signed my bat as a 12-year-old … if I told my 12-year-old self they wouldn’t believe me.
“And it’s the Ashes. If I do get to play it’s so weird to say it out loud … I think I’m watching it, but I’m playing in it.”
AAP