WBBL 2024: Sydney Thunder name 21-year-old Phoebe Litchfield as captain for impeding season

Australian cricket's batting prodigy, Phoebe Litchfield, has been appointed as the captain of Sydney Thunder ahead of the 2024 edition of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). The 21-year-old becomes the youngest full-time captain in WBBL history.

In the previous edition, England captain Heather Knight was in charge of Sydney Thunder. The seasoned campaigner is coming into the tournament on the back of a calf injury she suffered during England's last group-stage encounter against the West Indies. However, she has confirmed her availability for the 10th edition of the WBBL and her presence will surely benefit a young captain like Litchfield, who will be able to pick her brains when she needs to. Knight will miss the latter stages of the tournament due to national commitments as England are set to tour South Africa.

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Speaking about her promotion, Litchfield said that it is a huge honour for her to lead a team that comprises several talented players with a great combination of youth and experience.

"It's a huge honour to be named captain of Sydney Thunder. 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," Litchfield was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"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," the southpaw added.

Phoebe becoming captain of Thunder just feels right: Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland

General manager of Sydney Thunder, Trent Copeland, expressed his excitement after the announcement, asserting that Phoebe has maturity beyond her age and the leadership qualities to take the team to great heights.

"Phoebe becoming captain of Thunder just feels right. 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," Copeland said.

"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," he added.

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Litchfield made her Thunder debut at the age of just 16 and has scored 1212 runs in 67 matches at an average of 24.24. Last season, she improved her strike rate considerably and finished with 309 runs at 130.37.

Thunder played in the Eliminator finals last season and would want to go the distance this time. Litchfield and Co. will begin their campaign this year against Hobart Hurricanes on Monday, October 28 in Hobart.