Meg Lanning announces an indefinite hiatus from cricket
Meg Lanning, the longtime captain of the Australian women’s cricket team, is taking a hiatus from the sport, with no timetable for her return. The news came days after Lanning led her unbeatable national team to the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Wishing the Australia skipper all the best
Details 👇https://t.co/bmwwgOMd7o
— ICC (@ICC) August 10, 2022
Cricket Australia head of performance, women’s cricket, Shawn Flegler, stated: “We’re proud of Meg for acknowledging that she needs a break and will continue to support her during this time. She’s been an incredible contributor to Australian cricket over the last decade, achieving remarkable feats both individually and as part of the team, and has been a brilliant role model for young kids.
“The welfare of our players is always our number one priority, and we’ll continue to work with Meg to ensure she gets the support and space she needs.”
After a busy year, Lanning’s hiatus coincides with an extended break for the squad, with no international matches scheduled until a December series in India. In January, the next home games will be against Pakistan. However, it is uncertain when Lanning will return.
Lanning has been a fixture in Australian cricket for the past 12 years, having made her T20 debut against New Zealand at the age of 18 in 2010. In 2011, she made her international debut with an unbroken 103 against England, becoming the youngest Australian male or female to hit an international century.
In addition to being named the ODI (2015) and T20 (2014) Women’s Cricketer of the Year by the International Cricket Council, Lanning won both of the T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2014. She has contributed to no less than six victorious world championship battles, including two ODI tournaments and four T20 championships.
If anyone deserves a break, it's Meg Lanning. pic.twitter.com/BC8fKTwSDw
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 10, 2022
“I’m really pleased that Meg has both the confidence and the self-awareness to know she needs a break,” Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Todd Greenberg remarked to reporters.
