Birthday special: Meg Lanning – Top 5 knocks of her career
Meg Lanning is one of the gifted players of this generation and currently leads the Australian women’s cricket team. She is a very accomplished player being a part of the Aussies’ five world championship triumphs. It is to be noted that apart from being an exceptional leader, she has also been an excellent batter as well. In fact, the skipper also holds the record for the most WODI centuries.
Ahead of Meg Lanning’s 30th birthday on March 25, here’s a look at the top five knocks of her illustrious career.
135* vs South Africa, Wellington, 2022
This was indeed a special knock from Meg Lanning as not only did she score her first century in the ongoing Women’s World Cup 2022 but also helped Australia in registering a second straight mammoth run chase.
Chasing 272, Lanning scored a quickfire 135 runs off 130 deliveries and remained unbeaten as the Aussies crossed the line by five wickets in the 46th over.
97 vs India, Auckland, 2022
Chasing a mammoth 278, Meg Lanning played a captain’s role to near perfection against a resurgent India. Openers Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy had laid a solid foundation with a 121-run opening stand before the duo was dismissed in quick succession.
Lanning then took over the responsibility and smashed the India bowlers all over Eden Park. She agonizingly fell short of a ton after being sent back for 97 runs. However, the captain had done enough as Australia won by six wickets.
152* vs Sri Lanka, Bristol 2017
The ‘Megastar’ registered her highest-ever ODI score during the 2017 Women’s World Cup round robin fixture against Sri Lanka. Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 178 had propelled the Lankans to 257/9. Nonetheless, Lanning outclassed her with an unbeaten 152 off 135 deliveries helping Australia win by eight wickets.
133* vs England, Chelmsford, 2019
Meg Lanning’s explosive unbeaten 133 from 63 balls helped Australia beat England by a mammoth 93 runs in the opening T20I. Her innings helped the Aussies post 226/3. This also remains Lanning’s highest T20I score to date.
101* vs New Zealand, Brisbane, 2020
Meg Lanning was adjudged the Player of the Match award for her unbeaten 96-ball 101 against the Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the second ODI. New Zealand had posted a challenging 252/9 riding on a brilliant 79 from Lanning’s opposite number Sophie Devine. In reply, the Australian captain made the run chase easy with nine boundaries and three maximums at a strike rate of 105.20.
