Trouble for India? Australia may get huge boost for high-voltage Lord's clash
Women's T20 World Cup: Australia head coach Shelley Nitschke said that Phoebe Litchfield may return against India on June 28 at the Lord's, saying that that left-handed batter has recovered well from her calf injury.
India could face a tougher challenge in their final Women's T20 World Cup group-stage match at Lord's, with Australia set to welcome back star batter Phoebe Litchfield after a spell on the sidelines with a calf injury. The six-time champions have already secured four consecutive wins in the tournament, and Litchfield's return would further strengthen a side that has looked dominant throughout the competition.
Australia coach Shelley Nitschke confirmed that Litchfield is progressing well and could be available for Sunday's blockbuster clash against India. "Pheebs is tracking really well and hopefully will be available for the India game," Nitschke said, while also admitting her return would create a selection headache, with the left-hander expected to slot straight back into the No. 3 position.
"And then, that's going to be a really tough call -- Pheebs is likely to come back into that No. 3 position, so then we've got some decisions to make on what the set-up looks like and how to structure up. But obviously someone has come out for her," she said.
HOW PHOEBE LITCHFIELD HAS MADE INDIA WORK HARD
Litchfield's return could be a major concern for India given her impressive record against them in international cricket. The left-hander has consistently enjoyed success against the Indian attack, particularly in the ODI format. She produced a magnificent century in Australia's Women's ODI World Cup semifinal against India and has often troubled the side with her ability to score freely against both pace and spin.
The numbers underline her dominance. In eight T20Is against India, Litchfield has scored 168 runs at an average of 33.60 and a strike-rate of 144.82, with a highest score of 49. Her ODI record is even more remarkable, having amassed 753 runs in 12 matches at an average of 62.75, including two centuries and five fifties.
The 23-year-old had begun this Women's T20 World Cup in blazing form before being sidelined by the calf injury. Against South Africa, she smashed a 24-ball half-century, setting the tone for Australia's emphatic 65-run victory.
Australia, however, have scarcely felt her absence. The defending champions have remained unbeaten, opening their campaign with a convincing win over South Africa before registering dominant victories over Bangladesh and the Netherlands. They then hammered Pakistan by 113 runs to all but seal a place in the semifinals, reinforcing their status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
India could face a tougher challenge in their final Women's T20 World Cup group-stage match at Lord's, with Australia set to welcome back star batter Phoebe Litchfield after a spell on the sidelines with a calf injury. The six-time champions have already secured four consecutive wins in the tournament, and Litchfield's return would further strengthen a side that has looked dominant throughout the competition.
Australia coach Shelley Nitschke confirmed that Litchfield is progressing well and could be available for Sunday's blockbuster clash against India. "Pheebs is tracking really well and hopefully will be available for the India game," Nitschke said, while also admitting her return would create a selection headache, with the left-hander expected to slot straight back into the No. 3 position.
"And then, that's going to be a really tough call -- Pheebs is likely to come back into that No. 3 position, so then we've got some decisions to make on what the set-up looks like and how to structure up. But obviously someone has come out for her," she said.
HOW PHOEBE LITCHFIELD HAS MADE INDIA WORK HARD
Litchfield's return could be a major concern for India given her impressive record against them in international cricket. The left-hander has consistently enjoyed success against the Indian attack, particularly in the ODI format. She produced a magnificent century in Australia's Women's ODI World Cup semifinal against India and has often troubled the side with her ability to score freely against both pace and spin.
The numbers underline her dominance. In eight T20Is against India, Litchfield has scored 168 runs at an average of 33.60 and a strike-rate of 144.82, with a highest score of 49. Her ODI record is even more remarkable, having amassed 753 runs in 12 matches at an average of 62.75, including two centuries and five fifties.
The 23-year-old had begun this Women's T20 World Cup in blazing form before being sidelined by the calf injury. Against South Africa, she smashed a 24-ball half-century, setting the tone for Australia's emphatic 65-run victory.
Australia, however, have scarcely felt her absence. The defending champions have remained unbeaten, opening their campaign with a convincing win over South Africa before registering dominant victories over Bangladesh and the Netherlands. They then hammered Pakistan by 113 runs to all but seal a place in the semifinals, reinforcing their status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
