AUS-W vs PAK-W: Meg Lanning back to lead Australian women after indefinite break

• Meg Lanning has been named in Australia’s one-day squad to face Pakistan.
• The 30-year-old announced her retirement from international cricket in August.
• Alyssa Healy, who captained the side in Lanning’s absence, is out with a calf injury.

Meg Lanning was named to the Australian women’s one-day squad to face Pakistan on Friday, ending an indefinite break of several months and allaying fears that she had played her final international match.

The record-setting 30-year-old announced her retirement in August after leading her undefeated team to gold at the Commonwealth Games.

She stated at the time that it was to “focus on myself” after a flurry of victories for Australia and Lanning, including the World Cup victory.

It was unclear whether she would return, but national selector Shawn Flegler stated on Friday that Lanning was “all in” for the upcoming home match against Pakistan.

“We had always hoped she would come back and play, and a great story really,” he added.

“Obviously, she’s taken this time to work out what’s really important for her, things she needs to do to manage herself.

“You know, it’s a tough gig being the Australian captain and she has done it for a long time, so just really pleased she’s refreshed, happy and knows what she wants to do.”

At the time of her debut at the age of 18, Lanning held the record for the most centuries scored in women’s one-day international cricket.

Since becoming Australia’s youngest captain at age 21, she has led the team.

Alyssa Healy, who captained the side in Lanning’s absence, has been ruled out of the series due to a calf injury. Australia faces Pakistan in three ODIs beginning on January 16 in Brisbane and Sydney.

Also Read

Meg Lanning and Shane Warne are those on the Birthday List

Meg Lanning and the late Shane Warne have been named to the...