Australia bring in legend to earmark future stars on road to U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027

Former Australian women's captain and seven-time World Cup winner Meg Lanning returns to the national fold as an assistant coach and mentor for a 26-player extended squad on the road to the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027.

Lanning will form part of the coaching staff of a side bearing her name in a Lanning v Perry series, though will work with all players involved in the camp at Brisbane's National Cricket Campus.

Watch: What makes Meg Lanning a leader

The group will come together in late April for three T20 matches as Australia begin preparations for the 2027 tournament, and over the course of the week players will participate in sessions which are designed to build connection and focus game development.

Selection for the series was finalised by the YSP with the support of State and Territory Associations through a nomination process.

Watch: Ricky Ponting lauds Meg Lanning

Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development, says the addition of Lanning is a life-changing opportunity for the best of the next generation to learn.

“It is an incredible opportunity for our best emerging cricketers to spend a week learning and absorbing knowledge from one of Australia’s most decorated cricketers," Thompson said.

“It’s an exciting period coming up for this age group as we begin a new cycle towards the 2027 Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.

Australia finished as semi-finalists in both the 2023 and 2025 editions of the tournament.

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