Inspired by the attacking style of Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting, Meg Lanning is returning from injury to open the batting as the Stars look to dominate the New Zealand White Ferns in the final two matches of the WT20 Internationals, capping off a successful campaign.
“I play sport to win.” she said.
“I look to be really attacking, so we are always on the front foot.”
Called into the squad for the first time just over a year ago, Lanning made an immediate impact on the international scene, scoring a century on debut against England at the WACA.
“I found out after I came home from the tour that I was the youngest person to score a century for Australia,” she said.
“It is great I suppose to say I scored 100 before he [Ponting] did.”
Lanning says life has been a whirlwind since her stunning debut.
“I didn’t have much time to think about it. I was on the plane on Boxing Day to New Zealand and then back to Australia against the English for a month long tour in Australia.
Everything happened so fast and it was a bit unexpected.”
Lanning had been long tipped for a spot in the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad since her historic selection as the first female to play for the Associated Public School first XI while in Year 9 at Carey Grammar in Victoria.
Lanning has more recently been looking to round out her game by working hard on her fast bowling.
And like fast bowling team mate, Ellyse Perry, Lanning has more than one sporting string to her bow, having represented Victoria in Hockey.
