Orange's Phoebe Litchfield appears to be firmly on the Australian selectors' radars after being named in a squad of the nation's brightest talents to take on Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 tour game at Hurstville Oval on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Her promising start to her maiden Women's National Cricket League clearly didn't go unnoticed after, despite being just 16, being included in the 12-strong squad to tackle the touring Sri Lankans before their series against the Southern Stars.
South Australia Scorpions captain Tahlia McGrath will skipper the Cricket Australia XI with Heather Graham also included in the squad as her deputy, the latter was also named in the Southern Stars' squad.
- MORE IN CRICKET: Tremain fires with four wickets in thrilling one-run Marsh Cup win
Litchfield's fellow 16-year-old Breaker Hayley Silver-Holmes has also been named while Darcie Brown and Charli Knott, also 16, have been named too.
Cricket Australia XI coach Leah Poulton said the tour game will act as a crucial step forward in the youthful quartet's road to the Australian side proper.
"For players like Darcie, Charli, Phoebe and Hayley ... this match is another important step in their development and no doubt they'll benefit from the experience of being around more experienced players," Poulton told cricket.com.au.
"Tahlia and Heather, who have both spent time in the Australian setup and have a large amount of experience at domestic level, will provide great leadership to the young group.
"The selectors have picked an exciting squad that features a mix of the best emerging talent from a range of pathway programs for the fixture which presents the players with a fantastic opportunity to test themselves against international opposition."
After playing a vital role in NSW's opening Women's National Cricket League victory over South Australia on Sunday, Litchfield again showed her promise in the Breakers' seven-wicket loss to Victoria on Tuesday.
Her side was left reeling at 2-0 after Lisa Griffith and first-game hero Tahlia Wilson were both dismissed without scoring, before Naomi Stalenberg (53) and Rachel Trenaman (52) steadied the ship with a 115-run, third-wicket stand.
- MORE IN CRICKET: 'It was surreal': Litchfield helps steer Breakers to victory on debut
- MORE IN CRICKET: Morrish, Corben named to lead building Bluebaggers into new era
Litchfield entered the fray after the latter was dismissed and remained rock-solid at one end as her side's middle-order faltered. She watched on as Stalenberg, Saskia Horley (2), Lauren Cheatle (4) and Rene Farrell (0) were dismissed.
The former Kinross star was eventually uprooted for 17 by Molly Strano, after doing everything she could to lift her Breakers side to a competitive total.
They finished with 186, which the Victorians knocked off comfortably with seven wickets and the best part of six overs to spare, they were led by Mackinley Blows' magnificent dig of 105.
Litchfield's Cricket Australia XI face Sri Lanka from 2pm on Friday afternoon at Hurstville Oval. The Southern Stars face the tourists in Twenty20 clashes on September 29, 30 and October 2.
- CRICKET AUSTRALIA XI: Tahlia McGrath (c), Heather Graham (vc), Darcie Brown, Stella Campbell, Hannah Darlington, Josie Dooley, Nicole Faltum, Charli Knott, Phoebe Litchfield, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia Wilson
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...