Sydney Thunder have today announced that superstar Phoebe Litchfield will captain the team for the upcoming Weber WBBL|10 season. Litchfield, who has been a standout performer for both Thunder and Australia, is set to lead the side four years after debuting for the club in WBBL|05.
As captain, Litchfield will be supported by an experienced leadership group, including international stars such as Heather Knight, Chamari Athapaththu and Georgia Adams, domestic standouts such as Tahlia Wilson and Sammy-Jo Johnson, and some of the most acclaimed female leaders in Australian Cricket in Lisa Keightley and Belinda Clark.
The announcement comes as Thunder prepare for their season opener in Hobart, where Litchfield will make her debut as captain against the Hobart Hurricanes, who last week took out the inaugural T20 Spring Challenge.
Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said Litchfield’s appointment as captain was a natural progression for the 20-year-old, who has proven her leadership capabilities on and off the field.
“Phoebe becoming captain of Thunder just feels right,” Copeland said. “She’s young, but her experience in the game makes this a natural progression. Phoebe has always been mature beyond her years, and her leadership qualities have been evident from the moment she joined Thunder.
“We’ve seen Phoebe thrive under pressure, whether it’s for Australia in the World Cup or in key moments for Thunder. She’s a great leader, both by character and by example, and we are excited to see her step into this role.”
Litchfield, a product of Cricket NSW’s youth development pathway, has been a key player for the club since debuting at just 16. She has consistently impressed with her performances, most recently in the national side during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Copeland praised Litchfield’s potential to inspire both her teammates and young cricket fans across Australia.
“The Thunder squad is built on a vibrant youthful energy mixed in with a lot of top tier experience, and Phoebe is at the heart of that,” Copeland said. “This captaincy will only enhance the team’s trajectory and bring out the best in our players.”
Litchfield takes over the captaincy from former leaders Heather Knight and Rachael Haynes, both of whom have been instrumental in shaping Thunder's culture of success.
“It’s a huge honour to be named captain of Sydney Thunder,” Litchfield said. “I’ve grown up playing for this club and learning from some incredible leaders, so to now have the opportunity to lead such a talented group of players is really exciting.
“We’ve got a great mix of experience and young raw talent, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of captaining the side this season.”
Sydney Thunder are set to open their WBBL|10 campaign in Hobart against the Hurricanes on October 28 before returning to Sydney to face the same opponent at North Sydney Oval next Thursday night (October 31).
Sydney Thunder will call Drummoyne Oval home this season. With plenty of entertainment on and off the field across three matches on November 12, 17 and 20, fans won’t want to miss a moment.
To purchase tickets and cheer on Phoebe and the team, click HERE.
Sydney Thunder WBBL|10 Squad
Phoebe Litchfield (C), Georgia Adams, Chamari Athapaththu, Sam Bates, Ella Briscoe, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson
Sydney Thunder WBBL|10 Fixtures (all times AEDT)
Monday, October 28 | v Hobart Hurricanes | Blundstone Arena | 6:10pm
Thursday, October 31 | v Hobart Hurricanes | North Sydney Oval | 7:15pm
Friday, November 1 | v Adelaide Strikers | North Sydney Oval | 3:45pm
Thursday, November 7 | v Brisbane Heat | WACA Ground | 5:05pm
Sunday, November 10 | v Sydney Sixers | SCG | 1:40pm
Tuesday, November 12 | v Perth Scorchers | Drummoyne Oval | 6:10pm
Friday, November 15 | v Perth Scorchers | MCG | 3:45pm
Sunday, November 17 | v Sydney Sixers | Drummoyne Oval | 5:25pm
Wednesday, November 20 | v Melbourne Stars | Drummoyne Oval | 6:10pm
Saturday, November 31 | v Melbourne Renegades | CitiPower Centre | 10:00am