Meg Lanning back to lead Australia after mental health break

Meg Lanning will return to captain the Australian team again after a five-month absence, giving the Australian women's cricket team a huge boost

Meg Lanning in a file photo. (Image: ICC)
By Kshitij Ojha | Dec 23, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Meg Lanning will return to captain the Australian team again after a five-month absence, giving the Australian women’s cricket team a huge boost ahead of their holiday and new year celebrations. After helping the team win a gold medal at the first Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the 30-year-old took an indefinite vacation from the sport to concentrate on her mental health.

Australia will be without Alyssa Healy, who captained the team in Mumbai’s first four games without Lanning before suffering a calf injury that ended her tour. The defending champions want to give the injured wicket-keeper batter as much time as they can before the crucial World Cup since she still needs to recuperate from her injury and get match-ready.

Read more: All you need to know about the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup

Healy out due to an injury

Due to Healy’s injury and Rachael Haynes’ retirement, Australia will be without its usual starting pair while Beth Mooney is anticipated to don the keeping gloves. In the absence of the normal openers, Phoebe Litchfield is anticipated to open again. As a lead-up to the T20 World Cup in South Africa, which begins February 10, the three-match ODI series will be followed by the three T20 International matches against the same opposition.

“Sometimes you just have to hit pause, step back and take a breather. That’s certainly what I needed. The past 6 months have taught me a lot. I’ve learnt so much about myself and who and what is important to me. I’ve always played my cards pretty close to my chest. This experience has given me a greater appreciation of how opening up and talking to the people that care about you really can make the tough times feel easier. It’s ok to ask for help and admit that you don’t have everything under control.

“Having enjoyed some time and space, I feel refreshed and ready to play the game that I love in teams that I love. It’s such an exciting time for the game and I can’t wait to be part of it,” Lanning said in her Instagram post. 

Australia ODI squad: 

Meg Lanning (Captain), Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland





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