Litchfield rested for Australia's opening T20 against New Zealand
Star batter Phoebe Litchfield misses the first T20 International due to a low-grade hip strain. Skipper Sophie Molineux returns from injury.
Phoebe Litchfield will miss Australia's opening T20 International against New Zealand at North Sydney Oval. Litchfield did not recover from a hip muscle strain.
The 23-year-old batted in the nets and went through a fitness test on Saturday. Australia chose not to risk her.
Returning captain Sophie Molineux won the toss and chose to bowl first. Tahlia McGrath was recalled in the only change to the XI that won the T20 World Cup trophy at Lord's in July.
Left-arm fast bowler Lucy Hamilton returned from a quad injury. She replaced fast bowler Megan Schutt.
The T20I series runs across five days. All matches are at North Sydney Oval.
- Phoebe Litchfield, age 23
- Player
- Low-grade hip muscle strain
- Injury
- North Sydney Oval
- Venue
- T20 World Cup at Lord's in July
- Prior trophy
Why it mattersLitchfield is one of Australia's best batters. Her absence weakens the team's top order in the opening match. New Zealand are starting a new era. They lost three star players to retirement.
AustraliaAustralian cricket fans will see their T20 World Cup champions compete at home against a rebuilding New Zealand side starting tonight in Sydney.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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