India could be in for a tougher contest in their final Women’s T20 World Cup group-stage match at Lord’s, with Australia set to potentially bring back star batter Phoebe Litchfield after she recovered from a calf injury. The six-time champions have already won four matches in a row, and her return would further strengthen an already dominant side.
Australia coach Shelley Nitschke said Litchfield is recovering well and may be fit to play against India on Sunday. She added that the left-hander is likely to return at No. 3, which would force Australia to rethink their batting combination and make at least one change to the XI.
Litchfield’s return is particularly significant given her strong record against India. She has performed consistently well in international cricket against them, especially in ODIs, where she has produced big scores, including a century in a World Cup semifinal.
In T20Is against India, she has scored 168 runs in eight matches at an average of 33.60 and a strike rate of 144.82, with a top score of 49. In ODIs, her record is even stronger, with 753 runs in 12 matches at an average of 62.75, including multiple centuries and half-centuries.
She started the ongoing tournament in strong form, including a quickfire half-century off 24 balls against South Africa before her injury forced her out of action. Despite her absence, Australia have remained unbeaten in the competition.
The defending champions have beaten South Africa, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Pakistan convincingly, underlining their dominance and strengthening their position as one of the favourites for the title ahead of the crucial clash against India.
