Legendary Australia Captain Meg Lanning Announces International Retirement

Australia Women's captain Meg Lanning shocked the world on Thursday by announcing that she is retiring from international cricket with an immediate effect. A winner of two ICC Women's Cricket World Cup trophies and five ICC Women's T20 World Cup titles, Lanning bows out of the game 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 as quoted by ICC.

"I have 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 am proud of what I have been able to achieve and will cherish the moments shared with teammates along the way."

"I would like to thank my family, my teammates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association for their support in allowing 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," she concluded.

Lanning's first ICC title was the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2012 and it was followed by a 50-over World Cup triumph in India back in 2013.

The ultra-consistent right-hander took the captaincy reins from Jodie Fields at the start of 2014 and it was never looking back for her from there, 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.

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