16-year-old Phoebe Litchfield struck an unbeaten 82 to guide the NSW Breakers to an unlikely victory
Match Report:
ScorecardLitchfield's maiden WNCL fifty rescues Breakers
Teenager Phoebe Litchfield struck an unbeaten 82 from 119 deliveries to guide the New South Wales Breakers home to a thrilling win over the ACT Meteors at Hurstville Oval in Sydney.
The 16-year-old, whose feats for the Sydney Thunder in the recent Rebel WBBL season earned the young batter a spot in the Australia A squad, strode to the crease in the 11th over with the Breakers in strife at 5-37 in pursuit of the Meteors’ 177.
With Breakers’ international stars Rachael Haynes (10), Alyssa Healy (0) and Ashleigh Gardner (19) all sent back after minimal contributions, victory was looking unlikely for the hosts and reigning Women’s National Cricket League champions.
However, Litchfield was able to keep a calm head and dig in with a 54-run partnership with Lauren Smith, before Rene Farrell (38no) joined Litchfield and the two put on a further 88 runs to seal victory with two overs to spare.
What a win!
Litchfield (82*) and @Fezzy88Rene (38*) with a match winning partnership as we fight back from 5-37 to claim a hugely important win over ACT!#WNCL pic.twitter.com/JX6V2qp0DN
— NSW Breakers (@NSWBreakers) January 14, 2020
Earlier, Farrell was similarly impressive with the ball, snaring the wickets of Meteors batters Claire Koski (6) and Anna Lanning (0) with consecutive deliveries and finishing with an impressive 3-12 from her seven overs.
In trouble at 3-32 after Katie Mack (12) joined Lanning and Koski back in the dugout, a handy 86-run partnership between experienced campaigner Erin Osborne (55) and young gun Carly Leeson (34) helped propel the Meteors past the 100 mark.
Sarah Cotye chipped in with 28 from 27, before the loss of 3-15 at the back-end of the innings saw the Meteors all out for 177.
The Breakers’ win wraps up the second round of WNCL action and locks in their spot at the top of the table.
The next round of the domestic 50-over competition is set to take place next week, with matches scheduled in Hobart, Canberra and Perth.
2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup
Warm-ups
February 15: Australia v West Indies, Allan Border Field
February 18: Australia v South Africa, Karen Rolton Oval
Tournament
February 21:Australia v India, Sydney Showgrounds
February 24: Australia v Sri Lanka, WACA Ground
February 27: Australia v Bangladesh, Manuka Oval
March 2: Australia v New Zealand, Junction Oval
March 5: Semi-final 1 & Semi-final 2, SCG
March 8: Final, MCG
For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE
* All matches will be broadcast on Fox Cricket and Kayo, while Australia’s matches will also be broadcast on the Nine Network