Meg Lanning hopes the runs finally flow in World T20 decider
Australian captain Meg Lanning hopes her big innings materialises Sunday as she seeks to lead her side to a fourth World T20 title.
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Australian captain Meg Lanning hopes her big innings materialises Sunday as she seeks to lead her side to a fourth World T20 title.
Lanning has been solid without setting the tournament alight, notching 87 in four knocks at a strike rate of 92.
She was important in the semi-final win over the West Indies with 31 off 39, batting from the third to 17th over and playing a supporting role to Alyssa Healy and then Ash Gardner before being bowled by Deandra Dottin as she began to force the tempo.
She scored 88 not out in her last innings against today’s opponent, England.
“I didn’t feel great batting out there in the middle last night, sort of scratching around a little bit, but I guess it was a good partnership there with Midge to get us to a pretty competitive total,” Lanning said.
“I feel like I’m hitting the ball well. It was nice to spend some time out in the middle … but (I’m) looking to improve on that.”
Lanning said she had confidence her side could get the job done.
“We’ve given ourselves the chance … but we need to make sure we get the job done,” Lanning said.
“ We came here to play off in this final. We’ve given ourselves the opportunity now to win.
“ … It will be amazing to be able to win tomorrow night. That’s why you play the game and why you put so much hard work into your training and becoming better cricketers and better people.
“We know there’s a lot of hard work to go between now and the end of the game to make sure we get the result we want, but as I said, we’re confident in the way that we’re playing, and we’re going to make sure that we go out there and stick to that and try and put on a show for everyone.
“Coming up against England, they’re great rivals of ours. We play them a lot and really respect them as a team. Hopefully, it’s a great game, but we can come out on top.”
While Lanning said Australia had the option of recalling left arm orthodox spinner Jess Jonassen on what is expected to be another spin-friendly wicket, they are unlikely to change a winning line-up.
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