Woman cricket legend Meg Lanning of Australia retires

Australia woman cricketer Meg Lanning, who has won two ICC Women's Cricket World Cup trophies and five ICC Women's T20 World Cup titles, and has 15 ODI centuries, the most by any woman cricketer, has retired from international cricket.

“The decision to step away from international cricket was a difficult one to make, but I feel now is the right time for me," Meg, who has scored over 8,000 runs across all formats for her country, was quoted as saying by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The 31-year-old has captained Australia to four T20 World Cup wins, in 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023. She also captained Australia women to the 2022 ODI World Cup title.

“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,” she added.

“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.”

Meg was also named ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year in 2014 and the following year was adjudged the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year.

Meg played 241 matches for Australia – six Tests, 103 ODIs and 132 T20Is for a combined 8,352 runs including 17 international centuries (15 in ODIs and 2 in T20Is), the most by any woman cricketer.

According to cricket.com.au, “[Meg] Lanning will continue to play in domestic competitions, including the ongoing Weber WBBL, where she is in the first year of a three-season deal with the Stars, and for Victoria in the Women's National Cricket League.”

Meg Lanning in numbers (stats courtesy cricket.com.au):

Tests: Matches: 6 | Runs: 345 | Ave: 31.36 | HS: 93 | 50s: 2

ODIs: Matches: 103 | Runs: 4602 | Ave: 53.51 | HS: 152* | 100s: 15 | 50s: 21

T20Is: Matches: 132 | Runs: 4405 | Ave: 41.53 | HS: 133* | 100s: 2 | 50s: 15

World Cups wins: ODI WC: 2013, 2022 | T20I: 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023

Cricket, Women, Australia, Meg Lanning, Women's Cricket