Women's Ashes 2023: Phoebe Litchfield's DRS blunder cuts short her debut innings

Australia began their defence of the prestigious Women's Ashes title as they locked horns with Heather Knight's England, in Nottingham, in the solitary Test, on Thursday, June 22. The Aussies handed debuts to two talented players in their side in the form of  Phoebe Litchfield and Kim Garth.

One of the two debutants, Phoebe Litchfield, who received her Baggy Green from former Sydney Thunder teammate and Australian legend, Alex Blackwell, opened the innings alongside the experienced, Beth Mooney. Litchfield looked in fine touch as she stroked four majestic boundaries, before making an unfortunate error in judgement, as she shouldered arms to a relatively full-length delivery, from Kate Cross, that pitched just outside the off stump. She didn't account for the inward movement. As the ball struck her front pad, the umpire took very little time to raise the dreaded finger.

🫣 pic.twitter.com/QEyxaXCNZz

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 22, 2023

Kate Cross grabs the opening wicket of the #Ashes pic.twitter.com/3nxC72cX5m

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 22, 2023

Litchfield wore a disappointed look as she left the pitch without conferring with her senior partner, regarding using the DRS review. Interestingly enough, the ball-tracking showed that the ball would have held its line, just enough to miss the off stump. Hence, the talented Litchfield will be annoyed with herself for not opting for the DRS as she would have been not out had she considered it on her most memorable day for Australia.

Australia dominate after losing their openers

Meanwhile, the Alyssa Healy-led side lost the wicket of Phoebe Litchfield with 35 runs on the board. Beth Mooney rode her luck as she was dropped twice. However, the 29-year-old could not convert her start into big innings as she departed for 33, as she became the maiden Test wicket of another debutant but for England in Lauren Filer.

Since then, Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath have formed a threatening partnership of 95 off just 120 balls. England have been lucky at times as well, with some edges falling in the gaps. They will have to break this partnership as soon as possible, or they could be staring down the barrel more quickly. Australia are currently at 178/2 at the end of 42 overs.