‘Nothing Left To Achieve’: Meg Lanning, Who Won 5 World Cups As Australian Skipper, Retires

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Capping off her 13-year-old career in which she won seven world titles, including five as captain of the women’s team, Australian cricketer Meg Lanning announced her retirement on Thursday. The 31-year-old Lanning, who played six tests, 103 one-day internationals and 132 Twenty20 internationals, will, however, continue plying her trade in domestic and franchise 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,” Lanning said in a statement. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to enjoy a 13-year international career,” she further said.

Speaking outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of her family and friends, an emotional Lanning said she had tried to talk herself out of ending her international career.

“I’m sad that it’s finishing up, but I’m very much ready for something new,” Lanning said. “I feel like now I’ve got nothing left to achieve on the international stage. For me, I can’t be half in or half out with anything and I guess that’s where I’ve landed with this decision,” she said before breaking into tears.

Meghann Moira Lanning was born in Singapore where her father was a banker. She began playing cricket at the age of 10.

Winning two ODIs World Cups and five T20 World Cups as skipper of the Australian team, Lanning has amassed 8,352 runs in international cricket after making her debut in 2010. It included 17 centuries and 38 half-centuries.

Lanning, in her second ODI, became the youngest Australian to have scored an international century by hitting an unbeaten 104 against England at the age of 18. It’s a record she still holds.

Meg Lanning of Australia plays a shot as Richa Ghosh of India keeps during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Semi Final match (Getty)
Meg Lanning of Australia plays a shot as Richa Ghosh of India keeps during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Semi Final match (Getty)

Lanning was appointed as Australia captain in 2014, becoming Australia’s youngest ever skipper at just 21. She led Australia in 182 matches, more than any other women player. 

In what turned out to be her final international match, Lanning led Australia to the 2023 T20 World Cup title against South Africa in February.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said Lanning was 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,” Hockley said.



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