‘Left or right-handed, I back myself’ – dissecting the ‘Litch switch’

Phoebe Litchfield believes that her early years as an Australian youth hockey player help her with her signature shot, which she admits she may not be playing as often.

The “Litch switch,” as the name suggests, is the shot that was hit.

Litchfield, a left-hander, flips to right and rotates her bat for more runs than any other player in this year’s Hundred for Northern Superchargers, and does so consistently.

The 22-year-old batter claims, “That swing is quite familiar to me.”

The fielding team has one more fielders after the powerplay than the men’s T20, which means that the fielding team has four after the 30-yard circle.

Given that most batters naturally target midwicket, captains make every effort to protect the boundaries, usually with fielders deep in the leg side, so Litchfield can hit into a zone without usual protection by switching.

According to Litchfield, “that is pretty much where my thinking is.”

“That fifth gap, whether it is left- or right-handed, is where I’m trying to get it.” I support myself.

Of course, there isn’t anything new about the switch hit.

In 2006, Kevin Pietersen famously hit the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan for six to reshape the film. Some claim that it was played much earlier.

However, Litchfield’s variety is what makes her special.

As is the case, 10% of her runs with the shot have taken place in “the V” backwards, with the majority of them coming from third man to extra cover, as is the customary case.

No other sport can match that, either male or female.

The Hundred’s stunning straight four back over Millie Taylor’s head sealed her victory against Birmingham Phoenix earlier in the series.

According to Litchfield, “I practice it a lot in the nets.”

“The practice was essentially an off-spinner coming to bowl at me, and I’m going to try to switch hit you every ball,” I said. Find out what works and what doesn’t.

“I’ve let the bat down a few times,” I said. There are some times I’ve gotten the grip wrong.

Litchfield acknowledges that the shot was entirely premeditated.

Sarah Glenn was smashed by Litchfield for six over extra cover in the Women’s Ashes at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January.

Litchfield averages 47.0 at a strike rate of 195 and averages 47.0 when playing the shot. No batter has a strike rate higher than Litchfield’s with more than 100 runs scored on switch hits.

She has continued that style by knocking singles and striking fours with unmatched frequency in The Hundred.

The most unusual incident occurred on Saturday: a top-edged switch hit and dismissal.

If I pick the wrong ball, she says, “It can get me in trouble.”

The most important lesson I have learned is to block a good ball before bailing out.

In hindsight, I probably could have done that on Saturday, but there is a reason for that.

If the ball isn’t in your possession, it’s important to know how to get off the strike.