An inspiring Jess Yonasen explained how Meg Lanning’s ‘return’ has impacted the spirit of the Australian team ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup defense in South Africa.
The 30-year-old Lanning stepped away from cricket after winning her gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with a team that has carried her to her highest heights since 2014.
As she rejoined her Australia squad and captained her ODI and her T20 series against Pakistan starting Monday in Brisbane, she has had a career alongside one of the greatest players of all time. Australian spinner Jonathan was boosted.
“I’m absolutely thrilled. I have to admit I cried a little bit when I was told a few weeks ago that Meg would be back,” said Jonathan. “She did a little video message. As Meg says, it was a little awkward because she didn’t know the best way to do it, but I couldn’t be happier with the news. “
Jonathan said she was horrified when she first saw her video of her message.
“She started saying, ‘I don’t know what to do…’ and her heart sank at first,” Jonathen revealed. “Oh, she thought she’d tell us she’s done.
“The longer the video got, the more I cried. I just had this goofy smile on my face. We understand that you feel a little depressed in many ways, but the weight is on your shoulders in your role within our team, in society, and as the leader of a successful team.
Jonathan said she got emotional when she texted back to Lanning how happy she was for her, preparing for Australia to defend her T20 World Cup title. Jonathan saw this video and was so happy for his friend.
She said, “She seemed really happy. It was the biggest thing for me to see the difference in her as a person instead of knowing that she would be playing cricket again.”
“Based on how successful this first pre-break stint was, I’m really excited to see what Meg’s return will be like. “She worked in a coffee shop for a while, I think it was her local coffee shop. It’s a win for us.”