Australian Women’s cricket captain Meg Lanning announced her retirement from international cricket on Thursday 9 November, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career that spans 13-years.
Lanning has lifted more world cups that any other captain in the history of the game, making her an icon in the modern era of the sport.
She has won seven World Cup titles, with the most recent being the T20 World Cup that was held in South Africa in February. She has amassed 8325 runs from 24 international matches and stakes claim to seventeen centuries and has captained Australia on 182 occasions.
“I no longer have the spark or motivation to do what needs to happen at this level, so for me it’s time to move on,” the three-time Belinda Clark medallist said at an emotional press conference in Melbourne.
“It has been my life essentially for 13 years, and I know nothing other than that. I have learned so much and had so many incredible opportunities to do that, and I am sad that it is finishing up but I am very much ready for something new. It is time to move on and go on and experience other things other than playing cricket which I am really excited about.”
Former Australian Women’s Cricket Captain, Meg Lanning
Lanning took a break from international cricket in August last year after the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. At the time she said, it was something she needed to do, so that she could focus on herself.
On Thursday, Lanning said the previous 18 months had given her a chance to think about her place in the game, as well as other things in life.
“I guess I have got a bit of a different perspective on how I saw the game and how I felt about playing it. I was always really driven by team success and trying to help the team. I have probably been trying to convince myself a little bit over the last 18 months why I should keep playing and what it is that I want to achieve.”
Australia Women’s Cricket to social media to honour and pay respect to the icon and greatest woman’s player in our time.
An array of teammates and fellow Australians took to social media to show their love, respect, and admiration for true female icon of the game.
It was not just the Aussies that passed on their well wishes, respect and love for Lanning, but a host of former foes on the field and respected commentators all over the world.
The Australian team had an 80%-win rate under Lanning and set the world record for consecutive wins in ODI cricket with 26 victories between 2018 and 2021.
A more prolific batter, with a trademark cut shot that races away, with a stacked off-side field, an icon cover drive and the most successful captain of the game we shall never see. Thank you for what you have done for women’s cricket Meg Lanning.
Photo Caption: Australian Women’s cricket captain Meg Lanning announced her retirement from international cricket on Thursday 9 November, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career spanning 13-years. Original Image: ICC on Instagram
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