‘Always had the talent’: Why young gun Phoebe Litchfield is poised to be Australia’s x-factor with the bat

Aussie batting star Phoebe Litchfield recently smashed the equal fastest half-century in the history of women’s cricket – and according to her teammates, the 20-year-old is just getting started.

Earlier in the week, the West Indies pulled off a remarkable run chase at North Sydney Oval to beat the hosts by seven wickets.

But before the tourists side piled on the runs, Litchfield blasted a half-century off just 18 balls – hitting five sixes in the process.

Litchfield’s unbeaten knock of 52 when batting at No.6 was a new role for youngster from Orange in central western NSW who normally opens.

Aussie skipper Alyssa Healy said that the talented batter is improving with every game and will only get better with more experience.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the sport over the last 12 months

‘I think she’s always had the talent, she’s always had the skill,’ Healy said.

‘It’s just learning about when to play the shots and what’s the right one at the right time.

‘But I think she’s gained some confidence at international level – scoring a hundred in Ireland was great.

‘Coming back home to Australia, to get an opportunity which she may not thought she might get first up, to grab that with both hands…. hopefully it gives her the confidence to know that we do back her and we’ve got the belief that she can do exactly that.’

Litchfield’s rise in the sport over the past 12 months has been truly remarkable, and says some of her hitting power might come down to her strength and conditioning.

‘It was a bit of a crazy innings. I only cleared the rope by 30cm each time, but I’ll take it,’ she said.

Aussie skipper Alyssa Healy said Litchfield has always had the raw talent to be an international player

The young gun (pictured, at the crease at North Sydney Oval) says that she’s been practicing her power shots and lifting weights

‘I have been practicing that power hitting and getting a bit more free in my T20 game, it’s a bit more rewarding to put that performance on the board.

‘I have been lifting weights, but not sure how that correlates to hitting balls, I don’t think so. When I am timing the ball the best, it goes further.

‘So it’s not just about getting bigger.’

Litchfield is expected to hit more sixes this week when the Aussies play their T20 series decider in Brisbane.