Australian rising star Phoebe Litchfield may not be known for brute power, but the 22-year-old is carving out her own identity in T20 cricket through smart shot selection, field manipulation, and calm decision-making.

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Litchfield was the standout performer for UP Warriorz in their opening WPL match against Gujarat Giants, scoring a fluent 78 off 40 balls in a losing cause. As wickets tumbled at the other end, the left-hander held her ground and anchored the innings before being dismissed in the 16th over.

“T20 cricket has definitely been a work in progress for me,” Litchfield said. “I don’t hit the ball as hard as some of the big hitters, so it’s about finding my own way to score, manipulating the field and making good decisions. Each year, I’m finding it easier to score quicker.”

Litchfield, who made her international debut for Australia in 2022 against India, has steadily evolved her game. Her latest innings decorated with eight fours and five sixes, reflected that growth.

“If you’d told me a couple of years ago that I’d hit a few sixes like that, I wouldn’t have believed you,” she admitted. “Everyone’s getting stronger and the ball is travelling further. For me, it’s about a relaxed swing and good timing rather than trying to hit it too hard.”

Despite the loss, Litchfield’s knock was one of the major positives for UP Warriorz. She also highlighted the depth and versatility in the team’s batting lineup, stressing the importance of fearless intent.

“Our batting order has so much firepower, both at the top and lower down. The message is to back yourself, play your shots and not leave any runs out there,” she said. “Shweta (Sehrawat) is aggressive from ball one, which allows players like Meg Lanning, Deandra Dottin and me to bat around her.”

Litchfield reserved special praise for new UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning, whose calm presence and leadership she believes are invaluable. The pair shared a solid 70-run partnership at the top, providing a strong platform that ultimately went unused.

“Meg is so calm, composed and concise, the three Cs,” Litchfield said. “Her messaging is always clear and never confusing. She just gets the job done and enjoys it, and you can see why she led Australia so successfully for so many years.”

(By PTI Inputs)