It may not have been the result Phoebe Litchfield and her Sydney Thunder teammates were hoping for, but it still felt good to get their WBBL|07 season underway.
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The Orange young-gun was part of the opening day XI that took to the field Saturday night against the Adelaide Strikers.
Set 140 to win, the Thunder came up 31 runs short of victory.
But while the black and greens may not have gotten the points, Litchfield certainly impressed in her new role.
She was more than a run-a-ball 16 before being caught behind off the bowling of Jemma Barsby.
Teammates Corinne Hall (38) and Anika Learoyd (23) kept the Thunder in with a chance to win it late, but the lower order crumbled and they were bowled out in the final over for 110.
"I think for our first hit-out, it wasn't the worst thing losing the first match," Litchfield said.
"I think we learnt a lot from it and it was good to get out there and get the first one underway.
"I'm really looking forward to this season batting at three. It's definitely a different role and I'm looking forward to chasing more balls. I felt alright out there, but I just got out too early."
The Thunder claimed victory in last season's final, but its starting side in this year's season opener featured just five of the same players who played in that seven-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars.
Litchfield wasn't too worried about that.
"The team we've got this year is quite different to last year and we're still looking to play our best cricket even though some things have changed," she said.
"I still think we've got the side that when we play well, we can beat any side in the competition."
As for personal goals, nailing down that spot in the top order is key.
Her next opportunity to impress will come on Saturday, October 23 when the Thunder take on the Sydney Sixers in a local derby.
"I've actually never beaten the Sixers while I've been playing for the Thunder, so I'll be looking to get one over them," she added.
"They're always a hard team to beat because of their line-up, but we'll go in with some confidence."
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