'Mature' Litchfield targeting power gains

Still just 19 years old but with three WBBL seasons under her belt already, Phoebe Litchfield is hoping a new power game will help elevate her batting to a new level this summer.

Litchfield, who was today celebrating a one-year contract extension with the Sydney Thunder ahead of Weber WBBL|08, capped off a busy pre-season with a flourish last week, whacking a superb century for NSW in a tri-series of practice matches with Queensland and Victoria last week. 

The teenage batting prodigy whacked 122 runs from 125 balls as NSW defeated Victoria in a rain-affected contest in Coffs Harbour.

The left-hander, alongside the full cohort of Australia's top domestic female cricketers, will be back in action in just over a fortnight with the full home-and-away WNCL season starting on September 23, before the WBBL gets underway on October 13. 

After spending her pre-season balancing university college life with the demands of being a full-time cricketer, Litchfield admitted there were a few nerves before her first competitive cricket match since April.

"I was a bit nervous because we hadn't played cricket in a long time," Litchfield told reporters on Thursday.

"But as soon as I got out, I felt comfortable at the crease and was lucky enough to just keep batting and scored a ton which is a great feeling.  

"We had a few other players score fifties and seventies, so we're in some good nick, which is exciting."

It's a knock that will no doubt be a welcome boost as the teenager looks to launch into her fourth season as a professional cricketer with more maturity, a new power game and a sharpened mental edge.

Reflecting on the time she's spent wearing lime green for the Sydney Thunder since making a splash as a 16-year-old on debut under lights at North Sydney Oval, Litchfield says she is growing with each year of experience as she looks to take her game to the next level.  

"I've definitely matured. It doesn't seem like four years, that's for sure," says Litchfield.

"I've had a first year of being a full-time cricketer down in Sydney. It's been a long pre-season to be honest, but I'm really excited to play some cricket and get back in green. 

"There's shots that I want to develop, probably my power game for the T20 stuff.

"I've sort of been focusing on more the mental side and how to establish and innings especially in the 50-over format.

"I threw away a few innings last season and the season before, so I'm trying to develop my mental game to be able to really take control of an innings and be the senior batter." 

A particular focus for Litchfield during sessions with the Cricket NSW Sports Psychologist has been combatting the 'inner critic' that tends to creep into the psyche of athletes to hinder peak performance. 

"It's pretty much your inner thoughts, the man on the shoulder saying you're not good enough, or you should be batting quicker or whatever," Litchfield said.  

"We've been trying to manage that and find ways to not let that person have much of an impact, especially in the middle."

Another figure who's been on hand assisting the NSW Breakers in their pre-season preparation is Caitlin Basset, former Australian Diamonds captain turned Player Development Manager. 

Fans who keep a close eye on the social media profiles of their favourite cricketers may have been pleasantly surprised to see the Australian netball legend popping up in players' Instagram stories, and Litchfield said the NSW crew have lapped up everything Basset's had to offer – including some well-directed study tips. 

"C-Bass, as we call her, has been awesome," Litchfield said. "I remember the first time I walked in, I was like, 'we've got a new fast bowler!'

"And she turned around, I was like, 'oh my god, I recognise her'. It was so cool. 

"She was leader of the Diamonds for so long, and to have her insight in our game is second to none. She has been helping a lot of us sort out careers (and) study. 

"She actually did my degree at uni. So I've been, picking her ear like 'do you remember doing this assessment?' So it's been great and lovely to have her around."

Litchfield's contract extension coincided with the announcement that allrounder Lauren Smith also re-signed with the Thunder for a further two years. 

It's a further boost for the club, following the news that Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes will return to captain the Thunder after missing the entirety of last season.

The Thunder are yet to announce any of their three international signings.

Sydney Thunder WBBL|08 squad (so far): Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Jess Davidson, Rachael Haynes (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson

Tickets for Weber WBBL and KFC BBL games are on sale now. Get yours at cricket.com.au/big-bash