Meg Lanning, the multiple-time World Cup-winning captain of Australia women’s team, has decided to call it quits from international cricket. She announced the decision on November 9, 2023.
Australia's captain had not played for her country since lifting the T20 World Cup in South Africa in February. She missed Australia's tour of the UK due to an undisclosed medical issue and did not play in the recent T20I and ODI series against West Indies despite being fit, having returned to play WNCL cricket for Victoria.
Lanning is currently captaining the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL and appears set to continue to play domestic cricket.
"The decision to step away from international cricket was a difficult one to make, but I feel now is the right time for me. I've been incredibly fortunate to enjoy a 13-year international career, but I know now is the right time for me to move on to something new.
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Team success is why you play the game, I'm proud of what I have been able to achieve and will cherish the moments shared with teammates along the way. I'd like to thank my family, my teammates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia, and the Australian Cricketers' Association for their support in allowing me to play the game I love at the highest level. I also want to say a huge thank you to all the fans who have supported me throughout my international career,” Lanning said in a statement.
Lanning broke down when thanking her father Wayne and mother Sue, who attended their daughter’s farewell press conference. Lanning was born in Singapore when her father was a banker there.
Lanning played six tests, 103 ODIs and 132 T20Is, and won two ODIs World Cups and five T20 World Cups. She amassed 8,352 runs in international cricket after making her debut in 2010. That total included 17 centuries and 38 half-centuries.
Lanning was appointed captain in 2014, becoming Australia’s youngest-ever skipper at just 21. She led Australia in 182 matches, more than any other women’s player.
The cricket fraternity was left in shock with his sudden retirement by Meg Lanning, but paid her rich tributes on social media.
Here are the posts:
(PTI inputs)
