Australia team doctor Pip Inge confirmed that no date has been set for Lanning’s return, but it is likely to be in domestic cricket. “Meg is progressing well but remains unavailable for competitive cricket,” Inge said. “No date has been set for Meg’s return to play, however, we anticipate a gradual return through domestic cricket.
“CA medical staff will continue to work closely with Meg and an update on her availability will be provided in due course.”
CA’s national selector Shawn Flegler confirmed that Lanning remained firmly in Australia’s plans with the next international series coming in December in India, after the WBBL, but they were going to be patient with her return.
“We’re hopeful that she’ll come through domestic cricket first up and we’ll see how things progress through there,” Flegler said. “She was up at the Sunshine Coast and we caught up there. She’s progressing well. Just part of that return-to-play plan, we’re keen for her to come back through domestic cricket first and see how she goes with that but she’s going well, Meg. Very hopeful that she’s she’s back on deck at some point during the summer for Australia.”
“We just want to make sure we go through the right return-to-play process for Meg. We’re respectful of how she’s going with that and respect of the medical staff. Hopefully, start off with domestic stuff and we’ll just keep assessing that as she goes along”
Shawn Flegler on Meg Lanning
The first T20I against West Indies will be played at North Sydney Oval on October 1. The two sides play three T20Is in five days before starting the ODI series on October 8 in Brisbane with the final two matches on October 12 and 14 in Melbourne.
Victoria have six WNCL games on September 26, 28, October 10, 12, 19 and 21 before the WBBL begins on October 19, with Lanning’s Melbourne Stars playing on opening night, which will be the first of 14 matches for Stars not including finals. Following the WBBL’s completion at the end of November, Australia will travel to India for a multi-format series, which includes a day-night pink ball Test match. Lanning’s availability for the tour of India remains unclear.
“We’ll just take it each day as it comes essentially,” Flegler said. “We just want to make sure we go through the right return-to-play process for Meg. We’re respectful of how she’s going with that and respect of the medical staff. Hopefully, start off with domestic stuff and we’ll just keep assessing that as she goes along. I can’t say too much more at this stage, unfortunately.”
He also confirmed Healy and Perry would both play in the WNCL prior to the West Indies series and was pleased that Healy could return as captain after Tahlia McGrath led Australia in the last game in Ireland.
“Alyssa and Ellyse are on track in their return-to-play programs,” Flegler said. “Both are well placed to take part in Women’s National Cricket League matches later this month and are expected to be fully available for the upcoming international series.
“Alyssa embraced the added challenge of captaincy during the Ashes and will again lead the team in Meg’s absence. We’re fortunate to have plenty of international experience and strong leaders within the squad and know she will be well supported.”
Australian women’s T20I squad vs West Indies: Alyssa Healy (capt, wk), Tahlia McGrath (vice-capt), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
Australian women’s ODI squad vs West Indies: Alyssa Healy (capt, wk), Tahlia McGrath (vice-capt), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
Alex Malcolm is an Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo
