Meg Lanning

Meghann Moira Lanning AM, a celebrated Australian cricketer, was born on March 25, 1992. Lanning is a legendary figure in the World of women's cricket, having captained the Australian national team in the past and played a significant role in seven successful world championship campaigns. She is one of the most successful cricketers of all time, having won five ICC Women's World Twenty20 titles and two Women's Cricket World Cups.

Meg Lanning, also known as "the Megastar," is a well-known name in women's cricket. She made history in 2006 when she became the first girl to represent Carey Grammar in first XI cricket for a Public Schools team at just 14 years of age. She made her ODI debut in 2011 against England, where Meg scored an unbeaten 103 in only her second game. At the tender age of 18 years and 288 days, a remarkable feat was achieved by an Australian cricketer. With an outstanding display of skill and precision, this young talent became the youngest Australian to score an international century, regardless of gender. It was a momentous occasion, showcasing the player's incredible potential and paving the way for a bright future in the sport. She, as an Australian, shattered the record for the quickest century. In a game against New Zealand, she made history by scoring her hundred in a mere 45 balls.

Lanning is recognized for her remarkable cricketing brain. In Jan. 2014, she became Australia's youngest cricket captain at 21. She was made captain after Jodie Fields' injury. Despite being new to the role, Meg led from the front and finished as the top run-scorer for her side in the series. In April of the same year, she led the team to their third consecutive T20 World Cup title with a ferocious performance with the bat. She hit 44 runs in the final, and in a group match against Ireland, she slammed an outstanding 126 off 65 balls, setting the highest score in Women's T20Is at the time. In 2019, Lanning broke her record with an unbeaten 133 against England, although a few months later, her teammate Alyssa Healy overtook her record.

Wisden's Leading Female Cricketer

Lanning's aggressive batting style has made her a household name in women's cricket. She was named as Wisden's Leading Female Cricketer in the World in 2015, and she also captained Australia to victory in the 2015 Ashes series. Her leadership style was lauded for its innovation, particularly during the Canterbury Test match that her team won by 161 runs.

However, Australia had to face some difficult moments in the subsequent years. They lost to the West Indies in the 2016 World T20 final and were eliminated from the 2017 ODI World Cup in the semifinals due to Harmanpreet Kaur's outstanding century. A long-standing shoulder injury hampered Lanning during the 2017-18 Ashes, which eventually ruled her out.

Against all odds, Lanning became one of the most successful leaders in Australian sports history. Her unwavering dedication and leadership skills enabled her to lead Australia to an unprecedented era of dominance in sports. She oversaw a record unbeaten run in ODIs and led her team to back-to-back T20 World Cup triumphs, including a momentous victory in front of 86,000 people at the MCG in 2020. Her remarkable career is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.

Lanning holds the record for most Women's One Day International centuries and was the earliest Australian to score 2,000 runs in Twenty20 International. She is an inspiration to many aspiring cricketers worldwide.

Meg Lanning is an accomplished player who represents Victoria in the Women's National Cricket League and Melbourne Stars in the Women's Big Bash League.

She is an outstanding player and has been a valuable asset to both teams. Lanning is also the captain of the Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League, where she continues to showcase her exceptional cricketing skills.

Recently, on November 9, 2023, Lanning shared the news of her retirement from international cricket, leaving behind a journey that will inspire generations of cricketers to come.

Early Life and Education

Meg Lanning is a renowned international cricketer who was born in Singapore to her parents, Wayne and Sue. Her family shifted to the Sydney suburb of Thornleigh. For education, Lanning went to Warrawee Public School. On being suggested by a teacher, Meg started to play organized cricket. She was ten years old at that time. At the primary school level, she played for New South Wales alongside future Australian teammates such as Ellyse Perry.

Growing up, Lanning was inspired by sporting idols such as Ricky Ponting and Paul Kelly.

Before her first year of high school, her family moved once again, this time to the Melbourne suburb of Kew. At the age of 14, while attending Carey Baptist Grammar School, Meg's accomplishment is truly inspiring as she made history by breaking the gender barrier and becoming the first female cricketer to play for an Associated Public Schools First XI team.

Carey Medal

Lanning is an accomplished athlete, having been awarded the Carey Medal in 2021 for her exceptional service to the wider community. The Carey Medal is a special recognition that is given every year to one of a former or current student, faculty member, or parent who has made a significant contribution to the community. It is an honor that we hold in high esteem, and we are always thrilled to see someone recognized for their hard work and dedication.

Education

Meg Lanning holds a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Health Science, which she earned from the Australian Catholic University in 2019.

Early Cricket Life

Being a renowned cricket player who made her international debut in 2010 during a T20I match against New Zealand at Saxton Oval, Meg Lanning scored ten runs during the game and helped Australia win by four wickets. Shortly after, Lanning played her first ODI match against England at WACA Ground, where Meg scored 20 runs and contributed to Australia's 33-run victory, determined via the Duckworth-Lewis method. During both matches, she played alongside another debutant, Sarah Coyte. In just two days after her debut ODI match, Lanning made an incredible achievement by scoring her first ODI century during a match against England, in which she made 103 not out of 118 balls. This achievement made her the youngest-ever centurion in the country, breaking Ricky Ponting's previous record at 21 years and 21 days.

During the 2012 ICC Women's World Twenty20, Lanning proved her worth by becoming the third-highest run-scorer with 138 runs across five innings. In the tournament final against England, she made 25 off 24 balls, playing a crucial role in Australia's victory by four runs.

In a match against New Zealand at North Sydney Oval in 2012, Lanning displayed her exceptional cricketing skills by making a century off just 45 balls, leading her team to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory. In the process, she surpassed Karen Rolton's record for the quickest hundred by an Australian woman.

During the 2013 Women's Cricket World Cup, Lanning played a crucial role in Australia's victory by scoring 112 runs off 104 deliveries in a group-stage match against New Zealand. In the final against the West Indies, she contributed 31 runs from 41 balls, which helped Australia win the tournament by 114 runs and become 50-over world champions.

Lanning's notable achievements also include making her Test debut during the 2013 Women's Ashes on August 11 at Sir Paul Getty's Ground. She scored 48 runs in the first innings and 38 runs in the second innings, but the match ended in a draw.

2014-2016

Meg Lanning's cricket career has been filled with impressive accomplishments, including becoming the youngest captain of the Australian cricket team on January 19, 2014. At the time, she replaced Jodie Fields during the 2013-14 Women's Ashes. During her first match as captain, she scored an unbeaten 78 off 54 balls at Bellerive Oval. However, England won the game by nine wickets, clinching the series win.

Captaincy

The following month, Lanning was appointed as the full-time captain of Australia's T20 team, a decision that surprised her because she had not given much thought to leadership before. Later that year, at the 2014 World Twenty20, Lanning was the top run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 257 runs in six innings. During a thrilling encounter with Ireland, the talented batswoman set a new milestone in the game of cricket by smashing 126 runs off just 65 balls, thereby creating a new record for the highest individual total in women's T20Is. In the all-important final match, Lanning once again displayed her remarkable skills by scoring a quickfire 44 runs off just 30 deliveries. A crucial contribution greatly aided Australia's successful chase of England's target of 106. With seven wickets still in hand and 29 balls remaining, this contribution proved to be instrumental in securing the victory.

In June 2014, Lanning was appointed as the captain of Australia's national cricket team for all three forms of the game, thereby making her the youngest-ever captain to lead the team in all formats. Despite the selectors urging her to reconsider, the previous captain, Fields, announced her retirement from international cricket after a tumultuous handover of the captaincy. The incident was described as "messy," and it caused a stir among cricket enthusiasts and experts alike.

During the 2015 Women's Ashes, Lanning's captaincy skills were on full display as she scored 104 runs from 98 deliveries in the second ODI, leading to a 63-run win. In the next match, she scored 85 off 89 to help Australia defeat England by 89 runs. Australia eventually won the T20I leg of the tour, securing Lanning's first Ashes triumph as captain.

On March 21, 2016, Lanning set a record for most T20I innings before registering a duck when she was dismissed for the first time in a Twenty20 International without scoring any runs. Despite this setback, her accomplishments as a leader and player have solidified her place as one of Australia's most talented cricketers.

Meg Lanning, an Australian cricketer, has achieved several remarkable feats in women's cricket. In 2017, she broke the record for most centuries in Women's One Day Internationals. However, Lanning entered the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup with a persistent right shoulder injury, which proved to be a challenge for her. In the first match of the tournament played in Australia, the coin toss was quite chaotic. West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor won the toss and decided to bat first but later changed her mind.

However, Australian captain Lanning objected to this. After a lot of debate, the match referee, David Jukes, ruled that Taylor's first call had to stand. Despite her injury concerns, Lanning played a crucial role in Australia's victory over the West Indies and scored an unbeaten 152 runs from 135 balls against Sri Lanka. However, she had to sit out of group-stage matches against Pakistan and South Africa. At the end of the tournament, which Australia was eliminated from via a 36-run semifinal loss to India, Cricket Australia announced that Lanning would undergo shoulder surgery, which would sideline her for six to eight months.

Comeback

Lanning made a remarkable comeback to international cricket in March 2018 during a tour of India. In the field of cricket, Meg Lanning from Australia holds the record for becoming the second-fastest woman to reach 3,000 runs in ODIs. Moreover, she is the first Australian female cricketer to score 2,000 runs in T20Is. In the 2018 World Twenty20 tournament held in the West Indies, Lanning played a crucial role in securing a championship for Australia. In the final match against England, she scored an unbeaten 28 runs and hit the winning run.

In the only Test of the 2019 Women's Ashes, Meg Lanning, the Australian cricket team captain, scored her first half-century in the longest format of the game. Some commentators questioned her captaincy skills as they felt that "cricket was the loser" due to her lack of will to win and desire to do justice to the long format of the game.

On July 29, 2019, the Australian cricket team emerged victorious in the first T20I of their tour at Chelmsford, England. The match was a highly anticipated encounter, given the intense rivalry between the two cricketing nations. Despite facing stiff competition from the English side, Australia dominated the proceedings and secured an emphatic 93-run win. This win ensured that Australia won the series outright, much to the delight of their fans and supporters.

The Australian team's victory was a testament to their skill, determination, and teamwork, and will go down in cricketing history as a memorable achievement. In that match, Lanning played an exceptional innings of 133 runs not out off 63 balls, setting a new record for the second time for the highest individual total in women's T20Is.

World Cup: Lanning's 100th T20I

Lanning played two outstanding innings for Australia at the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup. In a group stage match against Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground, one of the Australian batters, whose name is not mentioned, played exceptionally well. She scored an unbeaten 41 runs and played a crucial role in forming a 95-run partnership with Rachael Haynes. The match was a nail-biting encounter as Australia had a poor start and lost three wickets for just 10 runs.

However, the partnership between the two batters turned the tables in favor of Australia. With their combined efforts, Australia managed to chase down the target of 123 runs with only three balls remaining. It was a remarkable comeback by the Australian team, and the unbeaten knock by the unnamed batter played a significant role in the victory. This match was Lanning's 100th T20I appearance, a milestone achievement.

Meg Lanning, the captain of the Australian women's cricket team, delivered exceptional performances during the tournament. In the semifinal match against South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Lanning's unbeaten 49 runs helped her team secure a crucial win in a rain-affected match. The victory was achieved via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Later, in the final match against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Lanning led her team to a historic victory with a massive lead of 85 runs. This victory was a remarkable accomplishment for Lanning, as she became one of the few Australian cricketers to lead the team to a World Cup triumph on their home turf.

Awards

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the sport of cricket, Lanning was nominated for three highly esteemed awards in November 2020. Specifically, she was nominated for the prestigious Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award, which is bestowed upon the ICC Female Cricketer of the Decade. Additionally, Lanning was also nominated for the Women's ODI Cricketer of the Decade award, as well as the T20I Cricketer of the Decade award - both of which are highly competitive and sought-after accolades within the cricketing World. These nominations were a testament to her remarkable achievements and contributions to women's cricket.

2023: Fifth T20 World Cup Title

In January 2023, Meg Lanning made her much-awaited return to international cricket when she played against Pakistan. Her comeback was marked by a series of impressive performances that saw her lead Australia to a major championship win just a month later. The 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup was a historic tournament for Lanning and her team as they emerged victorious, going through the entire tournament unbeaten.

Lanning's contribution to the team's success was significant, and her performances in the tournament were noteworthy. She kicked off the tournament in style, scoring 41 runs from just 33 balls against New Zealand at Boland Park. However, it was her knock of 49 not out from 34 balls in the semifinal against India at Newlands that stood out the most. The match was a nail-biter, and Lanning played a crucial role in Australia's comeback win, which she later described as one of the best wins she has ever been involved in.

In domestic cricket, Lanning has been a mainstay for Victoria for several years, captaining the team since 2014. Despite her consistent performances, she is yet to win a WNCL championship. In her debut for the team on December 6, 2008, Meg scored just three runs in a win against the South Australian Scorpions. However, her talent shone through in the 2010-11 season, where she averaged 67.33 with two half-centuries. Her outstanding performance came on October 29, 2011, when she recorded her first WNCL century, scoring an impressive 127 off just 123 balls against the Queensland Fire.

Since then, Meg has been a valuable asset to the team, consistently delivering exceptional performances. She has been recognized for her hard work and dedication by winning the prestigious Sharon Tredrea Trophy as Victoria's Player of the Year six times. Her impressive track record reflects her stature as an exceptional athlete and her importance to the team.

Meg Lanning, an Australian cricketer, made several impressive records in her career. On November 10, 2012, Meg Lanning scored 175 runs from 143 balls against the ACT Meteors, breaking the WNCL record for the maximum individual score previously held by Karen Rolton. She then surpassed her record by scoring 190 runs from 153 balls against Tasmania on October 29, 2016. Despite her team's failure to qualify for the final, Lanning was named Player of the Tournament for the 2016-17 season due to her exceptional performance.

In addition to her WNCL records, Lanning also made several records in Women's Premier Cricket. On November 18, 2012, a talented female cricketer achieved a remarkable feat for Box Hill, scoring an impressive total of 241 runs out of 136 balls. Her extraordinary display of talent and skill in Women's Premier Cricket set a remarkable and unprecedented record for the highest individual total at that time. Her performance left her opponents in complete admiration and amazement, astounded by her abilities on the field.

But this was not the end of her triumphs. Six seasons later, she took to the field again and shattered her record by scoring an astonishing 244 runs off 145 balls.

Her dedication, hard work, and unwavering focus had once again paid off, making her a true inspiration for aspiring cricketers everywhere.

Lanning's outstanding performance and remarkable abilities led to her appointment as the first-ever player signing and captain. She was selected for the Melbourne Stars at the official launch in 2015. On July 10, 2015. the inauguration was of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). This achievement speaks volumes about her talent and dedication to the sport. Lanning's impressive records and skills earned her a position as the Melbourne Stars' first-ever player signing and captain at the official Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) launch on July 10, 2015. In the inaugural season, she was the leading run-scorer, compiling 560 runs at an average of 56.00. She was also named Player of the Tournament for her outstanding performance. Although the Stars topped the league for runs in the 2016-17 season, they narrowly missed qualifying for the finals for the second consecutive year.

Conclusion

Meg Lanning is a cricketer who is known for her level-headedness and impressive skills on the field. She has earned the nicknames "Megastar" and "Serious Sally," which reflect her calm and collected demeanor.

In addition to cricket, Lanning has a passion for a range of sports. She is also a devoted supporter of the Sydney Swans in Australian rules football. Lanning comes from a family of five children and has played alongside her younger sister, Anna, on top-level domestic cricket teams.

In August 2022, Lanning made the brave decision to take an indefinite hiatus from cricket due to personal reasons. After participating in the Commonwealth Games, she decided to take a well-deserved six-month break from cricket to recharge her batteries. However, Meg couldn't stay away from the game for too long and eventually returned to the pitch. With her leadership skills and talent, she led the Australian cricket team to a resounding victory in the 2023 T20 World Cup held in South Africa. It was a momentous occasion for her as it marked her final appearance in the national team.

Her contribution to the team and the sport will always be remembered. During her break, she worked in a café, traveled, and received praise from the cricket community for her courageous decision. In January 2023, Lanning made her return to international cricket for a bilateral series against Pakistan, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to the sport.

Meg Lanning is an exceptional cricketer who has made a name for herself by breaking records and setting new benchmarks in the sport. As of now, she holds the record for the most one-day tons scored by any woman in cricket history. Additionally, she is Australia's all-time leading run-scorer across all formats, a testament to her incredible skill and dedication to the game.

Although Lanning announced her retirement from international cricket in November 2023, she continues to play domestic cricket in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and Women's National Cricket League (WNCL). Her team and fans highly value her presence and contribution to the game.