Rising Australian star Phoebe Litchfield has broken her silence after cricket legend Meg Lanning publicly named her as the ideal successor to Alyssa Healy as captain of the national women’s ODI side. The endorsement comes in the wake of Australia’s semi-final exit at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, and has intensified discussions about the next generation of leadership in the team.
Speaking on The ICC Review, Lanning—a two-time World Cup–winning captain—said Litchfield possesses the temperament and maturity to lead Australia in the future. The 21-year-old, who captains Sydney Thunder in the WBBL, has now responded with a mix of humility and quiet ambition.
“I look at our group, and we’ve got so many natural leaders, I just learn off them. And if the day came, I’d definitely grab it with both hands. But I can assure you that, the likes of Ash Gardner, Sophie Molineux, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, we’ve got just an amazing group of beautiful leaders, and I just look up to them. So if I end up getting it (one day), it’s because of them,” Litchfield said.
Her grounded response mirrors the leadership qualities Lanning praised—team-first thinking, calm under pressure, and the ability to lead by example. Despite being flattered by the suggestion, Litchfield remained focused on her development and the strength of the leadership group already within the squad.
‘Very heated’: Australia eye World Cup revenge in India series
While conversations around the captaincy may be building, Litchfield’s attention is firmly on redemption. Australia is preparing for a high-stakes multi-format home series against newly crowned world champions India, and the opener made it clear the team is motivated by unfinished business.
“I think that multi-format series will be very heated with the memories of the World Cup in the back of our minds. We’re eager to get one back on them, and we’ve had some really good form in all formats. The multi-format series are awesome for women’s cricket, and it’s a really cool way to see who’s the best nation. You’ve got to pick an all-round squad that can battle in all three formats,” she added.
Australia will host India for three T20Is, three ODIs, and a one-off Test beginning February 15 in Perth. The series is being seen as a major benchmark for both sides—and a chance for the Aussies to reclaim dominance after the heartbreak of their semi-final loss.
A leader in the making?
Litchfield finished as the fifth-highest run-scorer at the World Cup, underscoring her growing stature in the international game. Her captaincy experience with the Sydney Thunder has already drawn praise for her tactical acumen and calm leadership style.
But for now, she remains focused on performance and learning, even as voices like Lanning’s continue to elevate her name into the leadership conversation.
With her mix of maturity, form, and humility, Phoebe Litchfield may already be shaping into the future face of Australian women’s cricket—whether or not the captaincy arrives anytime soon.
