While a lot of the discussion around progress in women's sport has focused on football and AFLW, massive strides have been made in cricket too - and here at Missing Perspectives, we're so ready to watch the women's T20 kick off (or hit off!?).
ICYMI: Earlier this year, Cricket Australia shared its new plan to boost the participation of women and girls - and set out goals including reaching 600,000 average annual attendance for all women's cricket in Australia by 2034.
TLDR, it's an exciting time for women's cricket here in Australia, and who better to talk to than rising star Phoebe Litchfield? Phoebe's a left-handed batter who plays for the NSW Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League, and Sydney Thunder in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). She made her WBBL debut aged just 16. Yes, you read that right.
Phoebe shares that like many young cricketers, she tried out the sport in the backyard with her father and brother while growing up in Orange, New South Wales. "Then, as soon as I could pick cricket for a school summer sport, I did; made my way through the pathways in my state and the rest is history," she tells Missing Perspectives.
She says she had plenty of female cricketers to look up to when starting out in cricket. "I was fortunate to grow up with the likes of Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning playing on my TV at home," Phoebe says. "I looked up to them so much and they were my 3 favourite cricketers. Whoever scored the most runs in each game was my number 1 for that week. To be playing alongside them now is something I will never get used to."
The Women's T20 is kicking off soon - so how are Phoebe and the team preparing, and what can we expect? "We’ve all had quite different preparations with part of the group playing in the English summer and others playing practice matches and games against India A throughout the winter.
"But all in all, we are in a great space and are raring to go in Mackay later this month. We haven’t played as a group since earlier this year so it’s going to be so nice to be back as a squad and playing cricket together again. Also have to mention, it’s great preparation for the World Cup and we are super excited to showcase our entertaining brand of cricket for our Aussie fans before we set off to Dubai."
It's an exciting time for Phoebe, to say the least. "I am most excited about the day and night test at the MCG. Personally, I’ve never set foot on the ground so it will definitely be a bucket-list list item for me. So, very excited for that match along with the rest of the Ashes."
I ask Phoebe how we can keep the momentum around women's sports going. "Whilst there has never been a greater time to be a female athlete in Australia, I think it goes without saying that investment, media coverage and grassroots funding are the biggest things that need to continue to grow for the success of women’s sport," she says.
"Fortunately, sport is part of our culture [of Australia] and with half the population being female, there is such a platform to promote women's sport through marketing and community engagement, as well as role-modelling for the next gen. It’s up to us as athletes in this era to contribute to what the future of sport looks like in Australia for females."
As for what advice she has for women interested in pursuing a cricketing career, Phoebe says it's important to "stick with it and believe!"
"There are such amazing pathways for girls to pursue cricket - or any sport - at a high level so I encourage girls to fall in love with the sport just as I did and join your local club, because the next thing you know you could be playing a Test match at the MCG," she says.
"It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve really appreciated the impact I have in inspiring the next generation. Interacting with fans is one of the best feelings because, not too long ago, I was that little girl waiting for Alyssa Healy’s signature - of which I still have on a signature bat in my childhood room.
"I see them [the fans] and am instantly imagining myself at that age and know how big of an impact a conversation or even just a high five has on young girls and boys in igniting their dreams. It excites me to help inspire the next generation of Ellyse Perry’s, and our team understands how important being good role-models is for the future of our sport."
The Australian Women’s 2024/25 Summer of Cricket begins on Thursday 19 September, with the T20I series where Australia will take on New Zealand with every game live and ad-break-free during play on Fox Cricket, available to stream on Kayo Sports and watch on Foxtel.
Fox Sports will produce a half-hour pre-game program at 6:45 pm before the first ball is bowled of the T20I Women’s series at 7:10 pm (AEDT) on Thursday 19 September on Fox Cricket, available to stream on Kayo Sports and watch on Foxtel.