Cricket News: Meg Lanning announces shock retirement from international cricket | Why did Meg Lanning retire from internationals?
Australia captain Meg Lanning has announced her retirement from international cricket, aged 31. The shock announcement comes after Lanning missed Australia’s Australia’s tour of the UK due to a medical issue, as well as home ODI and T20I assignments against West Indies.
Lanning returned to cricket in the WNCL for Victoria, and is currently captaining Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. She is set to continue playing domestic cricket in the meantime.
Lanning’s retirement comes after taking a series of personal breaks. After Australia won Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, Lanning took mental health leave, culminating in her missing Australia’s December tour of India soon before the successful 2023 T20 World Cup campaign, which happens to be her last appearance in the green and gold.
Now is the right time for me to retire – Meg Lanning
In a statement, Lanning said it’s now the right time to move onto something new after 13 years at the top.
“The decision to step away from international cricket was a difficult one to make, but I feel now is the right time for me,” said Lanning.
“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.”
A list of Meg Lanning’s most incredible achievements
Lanning ends her career as one of Australia’s greatest. After debuting at 18 years of age in 2010, Lanning has gone on to play 241 matches for Australia across formats, finishing as one of the country’s finest batters and most successful captains.
Captaincy achievements:
- Four T20 World Cup titles.
- ODI World Cup title.
- Commonwealth Games title.
Batting achievements:
- Youngest Australian female to score a century (18).
- 15 ODI centuries, the most of any female player in history.
- ODI batting average of 53.51, the most of any female player with at least 4,000 runs.
- Second-highest run-scorer in women’s T20I history (3,405).
“We look forward to celebrating Meg’s distinguished international career at an appropriate time,” said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.
And what an international career it was.
