Australia captain Meg Lanning extended her indefinite break from cricket and as a result, will miss the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL 2022). Recently, the Melbourne Stars confirmed that the Commonwealth Games gold medalist will miss the upcoming WBBL 2022–23.
Lanning announced her indefinite break from cricket on August 10 after captaining Australia Women to a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, and she will continue her indefinite break from cricket.
It remains unclear when, or if, the Aussie star will return to the field.
WBBL club Melbourne Stars said in a statement: “Melbourne Stars Captain Meg Lanning will continue her indefinite break from cricket and will not play for the Melbourne Stars in WBBL|08. The club respects her decision and asks that her privacy continue to be respected.”
With Lanning missing WBBL 08 and no timeline set for her return, it increases the prospects of Australia needing a new captain for their tour of India in December, as her deputy Rachael Haynes has already announced her retirement from the game.
Meanwhile, Australia’s new head coach, Shelley Nitschke, revealed that they have not had any conversations about Lanning's future.
She stated: “When the time is right we'll have those conversations about whether she is back in December or whenever it might be.”
Notably, since taking over as captain at the age of 21, Lanning has led Australia to a number of T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup titles, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, and multiple Ashes victories.
