Veteran Australian player Meg Lanning has announced her retirement from international cricket. Lanning captained Australia in 182 international matches in 241 games in 13 years as well. Currently captaining Melbourne Stars in the WBBL 09, Lanning has announced her retirement effective immediately referring to it as “the right time” to step away.
“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. 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,” Meg Lanning said in a statement.
“I’d like to thank my family, my teammates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their support to allow me to play the game I love at the highest level,” she said. “I also want to say a huge thank you to all the fans who have supported me throughout my international career.”
However, Meg Lanning made her debut way back in 2010 as an 18-year-old. She has featured in 132 T20Is, 103 ODIs and 6 Test matches as well. Lanning, who first led Australia in 2014, has finished as the most successful captain in women’s cricket. She led Australia to four T20 World Cups, one ODI World Cup and also the Commonwealth Games gold last year.
JUST IN: Meg Lanning retires from international cricket after a legendary 13-year career | @JollyLauz18
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2023
However, Lanning missed several series where she wasn’t part of the squad for this year’s tours of England, and Ireland and also a home series against the West Indies. She had also missed the India series in 2022, opting to take a six-month break. While Alyssa Healy was named the interim captain then, Australia will now have to find a permanent new skipper as they embark on a multi-format tour to India next month as well.
Praising her contributions to Australian cricket, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: “One of the finest cricketers Australia has produced, Meg’s supreme achievements with the bat have been matched by her inspiring leadership. As one of the best players in the world over a long period of time, Meg has made an immeasurable impact and led a generation which has helped revolutionise the game.”
“Under Meg’s leadership, the Australian women’s cricket team has built a legacy of global dominance and has been at the forefront of growing the game and inspiring the next generation of cricketers all around the world. A seven-time World Cup winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Meg retires from international cricket having achieved everything there is to achieve and we thank her for the immense contribution she has made. We look forward to celebrating Meg’s distinguished international career at an appropriate time,” Nick again shared.
Meg Lanning to retire from international cricket effective immediately
241 matches for Australia✅
6 Tests✅
103 ODIs✅
132 T20Is✅As captain:
4 T20 World Cup titles🏆
1 ODI World Cup title🏆
Commonwealth Games gold🥇 pic.twitter.com/MEJBwZqdRL— Georgie Heath🎙️ (@GeorgieHeath27) November 9, 2023
When I started looking for women’s cricket idols, I found Meg Lanning.
At an airport, in Adelaide, a few months later I met her. I cried so much.
Got her autograph. She was lovely. I kept crying for another 30 min.I was spending a month in AUS and I had carried my jersey… pic.twitter.com/d2YVqy6VLA
— Roberta Moretti Avery (@MorettiAvery) November 8, 2023
🏆 Seven World Cups
🥇 Commonwealth Games gold medallist
🧢 241 matches
🏏 8,352 runsMeg Lanning has called time on her international career 👏 pic.twitter.com/1I6hmoX2dk
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 8, 2023
