Australia’s head coach, Shelley Nitschke, is hopeful that star batter Phoebe Litchfield will be available to play the crucial group-stage clash against India on Sunday, June 28. This is going to be the last match in the league phase and will be played at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
Litchfield sustained a calf niggle during Australia’s opening game in the Women’s T20 World Cup against South Africa on June 13. The left-handed batter missed the subsequent matches against Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Pakistan. Australia have comprehensively won all four matches they have played so far and have the best net run rate in the competition. If Litchfield returns to the side, it will significantly bolster their batting department.
“I think Pheebs (Litchfield) is tracking really well and hopefully will be available for the India game,” Nitschke was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
However, Nitschke admitted that once Litchfield is cleared to play, the team management will have to take a tough call as somebody will have to make way for the 23-year-old, who slammed a 24-ball 50 against South Africa.
“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.
Veteran all-rounder Grace Harris might also be considered for the game against the Women in Blue, especially because of her familiarity with the conditions at Lord’s through her appearances for the London Spirit in The Hundred.
“She (Harris) has played at Lord’s quite a bit with the London Spirit, so she certainly throws her hat into the ring as well. She’s been really unlucky, so we’ve certainly got some options,” she explained.
India will hope to beat Bangladesh on Thursday and keep their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals. The Proteas are expected to beat the Netherlands and Bangladesh in their last two matches, and if this happens, India will have to beat Australia on Sunday and ensure that their net run rate is better than that of the Proteas.
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Author: adreejkumarmitra
