Australia captain announces shock retirement from international cricket
Australia captain Meg Lanning is relishing time spent with the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 trophy
A winner of two ICC Women's Cricket World Cup trophies and five ICC Women's T20 World Cup titles, Lanning retires at the age of 31 having amassed more than 8000 runs across all formats for her country.
“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.
“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.
“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's first ICC title came at the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2012 and she followed that up the following year by claiming the 50-over World Cup in India.
The ultra-consistent right-hander took the captaincy reins from Jodie Fields at the start of 2014 and never looked back as she led her country with aplomb on 182 occasions and to five ICC titles during a golden run for Australia cricket.
Lanning was 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.
More titles followed for Australia under the watchful eye of Lanning and the fearsome leader also led her country to a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Lanning finished her career with a total of 17 international centuries, with 15 of those coming in 50-over cricket and a career-best 152* against Sri Lanka in Bristol in 2017.
That tally of 15 centuries is the most in women's ODI cricket, with New Zealand veteran Suzie Bates her closest rival with 12.
Lanning’s last international match was when she fittingly led her country to the T20 World Cup title in South Africa earlier this year.