Canberra, Feb 18 (NationPress) Phoebe Litchfield has urged Australia’s batting squad to embrace greater accountability and determination as they prepare for a crucial T20I clash against India in Canberra. With the series at a pivotal juncture, Litchfield emphasized the importance of batters taking ownership rather than relying on lower-order players.

Australia faced a significant setback in the opening match in Sydney, marking a disappointing start under new captain Sophie Molineux. This loss positions the hosts at risk of suffering their first home bilateral T20I series defeat in almost a decade, underscoring the necessity for improvement in the upcoming matches.

After recovering from a quad injury sustained during the WPL, Litchfield had a challenging beginning at the crease. She struggled to score from her first eight balls, including a maiden over bowled by Renuka Singh. However, she regained her form, scoring 26 off 19 balls before being dismissed by Arundhati Reddy amid a middle-order collapse. Georgia Wareham provided some resistance with a top score of 30, but Australia's innings quickly deteriorated, losing their last five wickets for just 12 runs, concluding the match in under 18 overs.

Reflecting on the defeat, Litchfield acknowledged that the batting unit needs to assume greater responsibility.

“I believe more ownership with the bat is essential. That’s likely where we fell short. It's challenging to analyze that game too deeply since it was interrupted by rain, but we started well, maintaining a good run rate... We just ran out of batters,” Litchfield shared with reporters before the second T20I.

“We need to demonstrate more ownership as a batting unit, and hopefully, we can either set a substantial target or chase one down. All of us batters have contemplated this and are eager to address our shortcomings on Thursday,” she added.

Australia’s recent T20I schedule has been influenced by their focus on the ODI World Cup. With the forthcoming T20 World Cup approaching, this series and upcoming matches in the West Indies and the UK are vital for preparation.

Litchfield stressed the importance of adaptability within the squad, given the various roles players assume throughout the year.

“Many of us participate in T20 cricket year-round, but we find ourselves in varying positions. Some players open, some bat at three, and in our team, there's only one player for each of those positions. Adapting to new roles is essential, but our team is very adaptable,” she noted.

“We prioritize the team over individual interests, which is a strength of ours. Adapting our games to fit into the Australian setup is something we’ve excelled at, especially with the hectic schedules we face nowadays,” she commented.

In addition to her batting, Litchfield has been enhancing her wicketkeeping skills alongside former captain Tim Paine. With Alyssa Healy nearing retirement and Beth Mooney stepping up as the main wicketkeeper, Litchfield recognizes the necessity of having a backup option behind the stumps.

“It’s crucial to have multiple skills. I love fielding, but I’ve always kept wicket back home in Orange during men’s cricket, and I want to maintain that skill in case it's needed. However, I’m not trying to take anyone’s position,” she added.

“Having a backup keeper on your resume can be advantageous if you're looking elsewhere. For Australia, this option allows us to potentially free up a spot for a bowler or batter if necessary,” she stated.

Australia also made significant selection choices in the first game, leaving out experienced players Tahlia McGrath and Megan Schutt, demonstrating a willingness to experiment as they refine their combinations ahead of crucial tournaments.