Meg Lanning is closing in on return to competitive cricket

After missing Australia’s Ashes triumph, national team captain Meg Lanning is closing on a return to cricket.

Alyssa Healy would welcome Meg Lanning back into the Australian fold with open arms. Picture: Peter Meecham/Getty Images

Meg Lanning is set to join teammates at a state training camp next week as she closes in on a return to competitive cricket.

The Australian women’s captain missed the Ashes tour after pulling out just weeks from the start of the series with an undisclosed medical condition.

That followed an extended break for personal reasons in 2022. It’s understood she has not yet been medically cleared by CA to return to competitive cricket.

However Lanning, 31, has spent time in recent weeks at Cricket Victoria’s Junction Oval base with CV indicating on Thursday that she would be part of the Victorian women’s squad travelling to the Sunshine Coast next week for a training camp ahead of the Women’s National Cricket League season.

Lanning hasn’t played for Australia since the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in February. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The camp also includes practice matches with NSW, although it is unclear whether she will play those games.

That would provide a springboard for Lanning to play in Australia’s Twenty20 international series against the West Indies, which begins at North Sydney Oval on October 1.

Without Lanning, Australia was outplayed for much of the Ashes, losing both white-ball series and only retaining the trophy on the back of a drawn overall result.

Her return would clearly be welcome ahead of another bumper summer for the Aussies, who face the Windies before multi-format series in India and South Africa.

One of the most decorated players in women’s cricket history, Lanning spent some of her most recent break with Collingwood football club for professional development.

Lanning played out the WPL 2023 season with the Delhi Capitals. Picture: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images

Alyssa Healy, who filled in as Australian captain in Lanning’s absence, last week said she was optimistic about the batter’s imminent return.

“I‘ve spoken to her in bits and pieces but I left her alone during the Ashes because it would have been tough for her to watch,” Healy said.

“I haven‘t seen her just yet but from all reports she’s going really well. I look forward to hopefully seeing her back in Aussie colours in October against the Windies.

“I‘m always hopeful, and I think the whole country is hopeful of that, but that’s a decision not for me. Hopefully she’s playing some cricket really soon. From all reports, she’s progressing really well for the summer.”