Injured Australia batter set to return for crunch India clash

Australia coach Shelley Nitschke has confirmed star batter Phoebe Litchfield is likely to return from injury for the side's final group match at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup against India in London on Sunday.

Litchfield injured her calf during a match-winning innings against South Africa in Manchester at the start of the tournament and has been watching on from the sidelines for the last three games as the Aussies maintained their unbeaten run.

With the blockbuster contest against India at Lord's the final group match for Australia ahead of the knockout stages, Nitschke said the timing was right for Litchfield to return to the side and slot back into her preferred batting position at first drop.

"I think Pheebs (Litchfield) is tracking really well and hopefully will be available for the India game," Nitschke told cricket.com.au on Wednesday.

"And then, that's going to be really tough call – Pheebs is likely to come back into that No.3 position, so then we've got some decisions to make on what the set-up looks like and how to structure up.

"But obviously someone has come out for her."

If Litchfield does return it would mean veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry would drop back down to the No.4 position following her Player of the Match performance against Pakistan and one unlucky player would drop out of the XI entirely.

Young pacer Lucy Hamilton could be the player that misses out for Litchfield's impending return, while Nitschke also confirmed all-rounder Grace Harris could be in line for a recall given her experience at Lord's.

"She (Harris) has played at Lord's quite a bit with the London Spirit, so she certainly throws her hat into the ring as well," Nitschke said.

"She's been really unlucky so we've certainly got some options."

A win against India will ensure Australia finish on top of their group and enter the semi-finals unbeaten, while a loss may also prove enough for the side to reach the knockout stages.

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