Meg Lanning retires from international cricket

Australia Captain Meg Lanning announced her retirement from international cricket on November 9 (Thursday) ending her 13-year international stint spanning 241 international matches. 

Lanning, who is currently leading Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) will continue to feature in domestic and franchise competitions. 

Lanning took a six-month break from cricket for her mental health in 2022. She returned in February 2023 to lead Australia in T20 World Cup 2023. The World Cup final in Cape Town turned out to be Lanning’s final match in Australian colors, where she led the team to another World Cup title. 

Lanning did not feature in the Ashes 2023 series in England and the home multi-format series against West Indies due to undisclosed medical reasons before returning to cricket in the Women's National Cricket League for Victoria. 

"The decision to step away from international cricket was a difficult one to make, but I feel now is the right time for me. 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," Lanning said in a statement. 

“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,” Lanning added. 

At 31, the MEGastar bids adieu to international cricket.



🏆🏆 Cricket World Cup

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 T20 World Cup

🥇 Commonwealth Games

👑 Most successful captain in ICC tournaments



Thank you Meg Lanning for everything you have done for cricket! 🤗🌟 pic.twitter.com/dDqEUgvU9z

— Women’s CricZone (@WomensCricZone) November 9, 2023

The seven-time World Cup winner, Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallist and three-time Belinda Clark medallist scored 8,352 runs from 241 international matches. No captain in the history of cricket has lifted more World Cup trophies than Lanning. 

Lanning scored 17 centuries across her remarkable international career. Lanning made her international debut on December 30, 2010, in a T20I against New Zealand and became the youngest Australian to score a century when she scored 104 not out against England at the WACA Ground aged 18 years and 288 days. It was just her third match and second ODI. 

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Lanning captained Australia on 182 occasions, more than any other women’s player, and led the team to a historic five World Cup titles. Australia had an 80 percent win rate under her captaincy.

Captaining Australia to one ICC Cricket World Cup (2022), four ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023) titles and a Commonwealth Games gold medal ensures Lanning retires as one of the most decorated captains in the history of cricket.

Lanning will continue to play in domestic competitions, including the Women’s Big Bash League and the Women’s National Cricket League.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: “On behalf of Australian Cricket, I would like to congratulate Meg on her incredible career as an Australian cricketer and all she has achieved as captain of the Australian women’s cricket team.

“One of the finest cricketers Australia has produced, Meg’s supreme achievements with the bat have been matched by her inspiring leadership.

“As one of the best players in the world over a long period of time, Meg has made an immeasurable impact and led a generation which has helped revolutionise the game.

“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.

“A seven-time World Cup winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Meg retires from international cricket having achieved everything there is to achieve and we thank her for her immense contribution.

“We look forward to celebrating Meg’s distinguished international career at an appropriate time.”