Australian great Meg Lanning announces international cricket retirement
One of Australia’s greatest ever cricketers has drawn the curtain on a glittering international career, announcing her shock retirement.
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Australian cricket great Meg Lanning has decided to call time on her Australian career, bringing to an end one of the greatest international careers ever seen.
The five-time World Cup winning captain will not don the green and gold again but will continue to play for Victoria and the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL.
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Lanning, 31, said it was a difficult decision to step away from international cricket but felt the timing was right for a change, thanking her teammates and fans after a glittering 13-year Australian career.
“The decision to step away from international cricket was a difficult one to make, but I feel now is the right time for me,” Lanning said.
“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.”
“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.
“I also want to say a huge thank you to all the fans who have supported me throughout my international career.”
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley said Lanning had made an “immeasurable impact” on cricket and “led a generation which has helped revolutionise the game”.
“One of the finest cricketers Australia has produced, Meg’s supreme achievements with the bat have been matched by her inspiring leadership,” he said.
“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.”
“We look forward to celebrating Meg’s distinguished international career at an appropriate time.”
Lanning burst onto the scene with Victoria as a 16-year-old before making her Australian debut in a T20 aged 18 at the end of 2010.
In her second ODI and only third game for Australia, she scored 104 not out against England at the WACA, the first of 17 international hundreds.
The right-handed batter has captained Australia 182 times, more than any other women’s player in history after taking on the role at only 21.
Lanning won five T20 World Cups and two ODI World Cups as a player as well as a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022.
Originally published as Australian great Meg Lanning announces international cricket retirement
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