7-times World Cup winner Meg Lanning calls time on her stunning international career

One of Australia’s most celebrated cricket icons, Meg Lanning, announced her retirement from international cricket on Thursday, marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned 13 remarkable years. Lanning’s impact on the cricket world was substantial, as she not only established herself as an exceptional batter but also made history as Australia’s most successful women’s captain.

Throughout her journey, Lanning represented her nation in 241 international matches across various formats, including six Tests, 103 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 132 T20 Internationals (T20Is). Her tenure as the captain of the Australian team, spanning 182 matches, stands as a testament to her exceptional leadership and commitment to the sport.

Meg Lanning’s official announcement

Expressing her sentiments about the retirement, Lanning remarked, “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.”

Speaking from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, surrounded by her family and friends, Lanning shared that while she’s saddened by the conclusion of this chapter, she’s eager to embark on a new journey. “I feel like now I’ve got nothing left to achieve on the international stage. For me, I I can’t be half in or half out with anything and I guess that’s that’s where I’ve landed with this decision,” she added.

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Meg Lanning’s record

Lanning’s impressive record includes winning two ODI World Cups and five T20 World Cups, a testament to her significant contributions to Australian cricket. Her international career, which began in 2010, saw her amass a total of 8,352 runs, including an outstanding tally of 17 centuries and 38 half-centuries. Notably, she secured her place in history early on by becoming the youngest Australian to score an international century at the age of 18, a record that still stands to this day.

As Lanning bids farewell to the international cricket stage, her legacy as a true trailblazer and an inspiration to countless cricket enthusiasts, especially women athletes, remains firmly intact. Her contributions to the sport will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come, leaving an indelible mark on the rich history of Australian cricket.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.