Meg Lanning’s departure from the game gave her a chance to feel normal. Although she has not set a timeframe for how long her career will last when she returns to international cricket, she is motivated by what she can still achieve in the game.
Lanning said she retired after Australia won gold at the Commonwealth Games in August. This, alongside Ashes and her ODI World Championships, wrapped up the Grand Slam of Victory at the same time as the 2020 T20 World Championships.
She’s been spending her time on her travels, making coffee and washing dishes in cafes before making appearances in Victoria earlier this month, starting in Brisbane and ahead of a series against Pakistan leading up to the T20 World Cup in South Africa. .
“I didn’t know what to expect at first,” she said. She said, “She just wanted to take a break from cricket, take a little break and give herself some time to think and figure out where she wants to go. “It became clear to me that I still wanted to play cricket and that I loved the game. I feel really refreshed and ready to go.
“I feel there is a lot left in the game, both personally and as a team.
For Lanning, who took over as captain of Australia at just 21 years old, it was very important to break away from the highly organized, routine professional nature of his sport, with lattes and flats he serves white. Enjoyed a very different pace.
“It gave me a slightly different perspective on things,” she said. “Just walking around and not knowing what the day would be like – it could be busy, it could be quiet – and I thought it was actually pretty cool to have different conversations with customers. Take it, reduce the structure a bit and go.Working at a cafe allowed me to do that and it was a lot of fun.”
She said defending her title at the T20 World Championships isn’t a specific goal for her comeback, as she achieved 29 and 61 in her two WNCLs in Victoria, and in the rest of the month she’s finished with three. Earned an ODI and three T20Is.
“I came to that conclusion after a while, but I think there was a moment a few months ago when I absolutely wanted to [keep playing],” she said. “I love this game and have been making it for as long as I’ve been playing it, but there are still a few things I’d like to archive. After reaching that conclusion, where did I come back from and what does it look like? A break was definitely what I needed.
Lanning added that he’s had a lot of support from different people during his time away from the game, and admitted that he’s been a “pretty cautious” person for much of his career, but the situation has changed. Emphasize that each is different.
“I’ve certainly learned a lot in the last six months… talking to people and how much it can help you process what you’re thinking,” she said. You never know what people are going through behind the scenes, and it’s important to recognize that.Everyone handles things differently.
“I never thought I would pause the game. It’s been confirmed to be a favorite and has given us a lot of fun over the years. It means listening to your feelings and going the way you think is best.
“Hopefully it’s something I can continue with. I certainly haven’t worked it all out, but I’m committed to watching what happens and learning along the way.”