Overview
- Coach Shelley Nitschke said Phoebe Litchfield has returned to net sessions and is tracking well, making her likely to be available for Australia’s final group-stage match at Lord’s.
- Litchfield tore a calf in the opening match against South Africa and missed the next three games, during which Ellyse Perry filled the No.3 role.
- Nitschke indicated Litchfield is expected to slot back at No.3, which will force a change to the playing XI with one player to be omitted.
- Young pacer Lucy Hamilton is the frontrunner to be left out if Litchfield returns, while experienced all-rounder Grace Harris is also under consideration because of her Lord’s experience.
- Australia remain unbeaten at the top of Group A so the change is more about balance than survival, with Litchfield’s return likely to restore top-order stability and affect the team’s bowling depth and match strategy.