Meg Lanning, the celebrated Australian cricketer, has opened up about her early retirement from international cricket, shedding light on a struggle that even her teammates were unaware of. In a candid conversation on The Howie Games podcast, Lanning revealed the inner turmoil that led to her decision.
The cricketing icon disclosed that despite her remarkable achievements on the field, she grappled with undisclosed medical issues that took a toll on her well-being. Following a six-month break after the Commonwealth Games in 2022, Lanning returned to lead Australia to victory in the T20 World Cup in February 2023. However, she unexpectedly withdrew from the Ashes series later that year due to her undisclosed health concerns.
Lanning confessed to experiencing a downward spiral, marked by denial and a significant loss of weight, which affected her ability to concentrate and commit to cricket at the required level. She described using running as a coping mechanism, seeking solace in physical activity to escape mentally, even as nighttime brought restlessness and frustration.
“It sort of just spiralled and I was in denial, even though everyone kept telling me something wasn’t quite right. I was not in a place to be able to go on tour and play cricket and give the commitment levels required for that Ashes series, mentally and physically,”
“I got down to about 57kgs from 64kgs. The ratios were out of whack a lot. I did not realize (it affected) my ability to concentrate. It was just all out of whack and I kept sliding. At some point, it’s got to stop,
Looking ahead, Lanning expressed a desire to remain connected to sports in her future endeavors, revealing an aspiration to own a coffee shop—a venture that merges her passion for sport with her love for coffee.
“I love sport, so the sport will be involved in the next step. I love coffee, I do have this one vision of maybe one day owning my coffee shop
The announcement of Lanning’s retirement from international cricket in November 2023, at the age of just 31, marked the end of a glittering career. With five T20 World Cup titles and two 50-overs World Cup victories to her name, Lanning leaves behind a legacy of excellence and determination on the cricket field.
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