Lanning fit, focused and ready for India

After one final fitness Test at the Bupa National Cricket Centre on Tuesday, Meg Lanning finally heard the words she’s been waiting to hear: ‘You’re in’.

The Australian captain was put through her paces as the national selectors put together their ODI and T20I squads for the tour of India, with no risks to be taken if the 25-year-old couldn’t prove she was 100 per cent ready to make her return from injury.

Fortunately for Lanning, she batted without restriction and is now fully focused on returning to the middle and wiping away the memories of last year’s disappointing World Cup campaign in the UK, which saw Australia knocked out of the semi-finals and Lanning personally dogged by her ever-worsening shoulder injury.

“I pretty much just had to bat unrestricted (to be selected) and I’m very comfortable I’ll be able to do that,” Lanning said in Melbourne on Wednesday.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s been a long seven months and it was tough watching the Ashes, but I’ve put in a lot of hard work and I’m just happy to be back out there.

“I’ve been batting for a long time now in the nets, now it’s just making that translation back into matches.”

Lanning hasn’t played a match since going under the knife, missing the final round of the Women’s National Cricket League last weekend as her team of doctors, physios and coaches opted to take an overly cautious approach to her comeback.

But Lanning said she had “no doubt” her shoulder was strong and ready for the rigours of international cricket.

And while she can’t confirm she’ll be throwing overarm again just yet, she is confident she can also stand up in the field - although she will no doubt have seen Chris Lynn's latest run-in with injury in New Zealand and be fully conscious of the risks involved with diving. 

“It probably won’t be 100 per cent in the field, but I feel it’s at a level where I’ll be ready to contribute for the team.”

In good news for the captain and her team, Australia have two 50-over warm-up matches in Mumbai before they travel to Vadodara for the three-game ODI series, giving Lanning key opportunities to test herself in match conditions.

“They’ll be crucial for me and for the whole squad to get used to the conditions and to get back playing together.”

That Australian ODI squad will feature one brand-new face – uncapped Victorian allrounder Sophie Molineux – alongside a returning player in Nicola Carey, who was part of the last Southern Stars squad to travel to India for the 2016 World T20 but has yet to make her international debut.

Having watched Molineux progress through the Victorian ranks, Lanning is looking forward to seeing what the 20-year-old can do at the highest level.

“Sophie is an exciting talent who’s been playing well at domestic level for a number of years now,” she said.

“She’s a great ball striker, someone who always wants to keep the game moving and that’s the type of player we want in the squad.

“I’m looking forward to playing alongside her and the other girls coming into the squad.

“They’re quite young, which I think is exciting. We’ve been able to add to our squad with different skill sets.”

Lanning will also be working with a new deputy in India, with Rachael Haynes – who filled in as skipper during the Ashes – appointed Australia’s new vice-captain following the retirement of Alex Blackwell on Monday.

"Alex has been a great of Australian cricket ... and definitely will be missed," Lanning said.

"Definitely big shoes to fill and Rachael Haynes stepping in as vice-captain, I'm really looking forward to working with her.

"She did great job during the Ashes to lead the team so I think we will work really well together."

The Australians will play three one-day internationals against India from March 12 before a Twenty20 tri-series against the Indians and England from March 22.

Australia tour of India

Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Australia T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Naomi Stalenberg, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Warm-up match v India A, BKC Ground, Mumbai, March 8

Warm-up match v India A, BKC Ground, Mumbai, March 6

ODI series

First ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 12

Second ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 15

Third ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 18

T20I tri-series

First T20I Australia v India, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 22

Second T20I Australia v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 23

Third T20I India v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 25

Fourth T20I Australia v India, Brabourne Stadium, March 26

Fifth T20I Australia v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 28

Sixth T20I India v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 29

Final Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 31