Phoebe Litchfield didn’t always listen to her coach, but the 19-year-old state cricketer just hit her fourth century of the season.
Last Sunday, Litchfield became the youngest century-maker for the NSW Breakers when she scored 107 in their 58-run win against Western Australia at North Sydney Oval.
Phoebe Litchfield tucks a delivery away behind point during her century against WA.Credit:Getty
Growing up in Orange, Litchfield was just 16 when she joined the Breakers, and while at school, she was coached by her dad, Andrew Litchfield.
“I couldn’t really come down to Sydney to train because I wanted to stay at home and at school,” she said. “So my dad was my cricket coach in Orange and has been for ages. He’s a great coach.”
But that dynamic meant, at times, Litchfield brushed off his tough love.
“It was weird because, you know, he’s my dad, and I didn’t listen to him at times,” she said. “But we’ve developed a really good relationship professionally. He’s also a loving father.”
Since moving to Sydney, Litchfield has navigated the challenge of balancing her first year at Sydney’s University of Technology, completing a Bachelor of Media and Communications degree, with playing in the Women’s National Cricket League for the Breakers and Women’s Big Bash for the Sydney Thunder.
But she enjoys the pressure of one more than the other. “A lot of the pressure from uni is negative because it’s about getting assessments done,” she said. “But I love pressure and challenges in cricket. I thrive off it.”
One of Litchfield’s fans is veteran star, Alyssa Healy, who said the young cricketer was on the rise.
“Litchfield is undoubtedly one of the most talented young players in the competition at the moment and a really exciting one to watch in the WBBL in particular,” Healy said. “Without putting too much pressure on her, I’m really excited to see the career that she can have if she wants it. She wants to be better every day.”
Litchfield said being raised in the country gave her the grounding she needed to succeed in cricket. “The opportunities I had in Orange were second to none. I was exposed to men’s cricket at a young age, and we had a cricket net in the backyard, so I had space to keep practising with Dad.”
That’s one thing Litchfield loves to do when she’s back in her home town. “It’s been fun having Dad as a coach and I think that’s what I’ve missed coming to Sydney, is missing those hits with Dad,” she said.
And despite his tough love in her early years, some of her father’s advice still resonates with Litchfield as she works towards playing for Australia.
“My dad has a few sayings,” Litchfield said. “If you’re going on the right track, don’t stand still or you’ll get run over’. As in, if you’re going well, don’t think you can settle. Keep trying to find ways to improve every day.”
