Phoebe Litchfield's whirlwind rise to the top continued with Thursday's announcement she has signed with the Sydney Thunder ahead of this summer's Rebel Women's Big Bash League.
The 16-year-old Kinross product has inked a two-year deal with the electric greens to cap an impressive 12 months that included Australian under-19 selection, a Governer General's XI nod, her NSW Breakers debut and an appearance for the Cricket Australia XI against Sri Lanka.
She also notched her maiden Women's Premier Cricket for Parramatta and topped the run-scoring list at the Under-18 National Championships with 348 at 43.5, she played for the Cricket Australia XI after missing out on a NSW gig.
It would be an amazing experience to make my debut. I hope it's not too far away but I'm not expecting anything this season.
- Phoebe Litchfield
Unassuming as always, Litchfield labelled the chance 'surreal',before explaining she's hopeful of making her debut but more focused on using this summer's tournament as a learning experience.
"I'm extremely excited. I've been watching the Big Bash hoping to be playing. To be offered a spot in the squad is surreal," Litchfield, who's been in the Thunder's academy program previously, said.
"It'll be really good for the development of my cricket. I'm really excited to learn from some of the more experienced players in the team and try to keep getting better.
"It would be an amazing experience to make my debut. I hope it's not too far away but I'm not expecting anything this season.
"It would be a great experience but also a great learning curve at the start of my career."
That debut seems likely this summer after new head coach Trevor Griffin - a two-time title-winning mentor in England's KIA Super League - explained how excited he is to have Litchfield at his disposal.
"She's a really exciting young talent. We're really excited to have Phoebe," Griffin said.
"She's been working really hard over the winter. Her batting is looking very exciting and I'm looking forward to seeing how she develops with this experience. It's great to have her on board."
Litchfield's signing came not long after Griffin was appointed to his new role, with Pakistan international Nida Dar - nicknamed 'Lady Boom Boom' - also linking with the Thunder recently.
This summer's WBBL is the first standalone edition of the tournament and the Thunder kick it off on Friday, October 18 against traditional rivals and last year's runners-up Sydney Sixers, in an under lights, televised blockbuster at North Sydney Oval.