Lancashire Thunder have pulled off a signing that feels special in every sense of the word. Former Australia captain Meg Lanning, one of the greatest batters and leaders the women’s game has ever seen, will play for Lancashire in the 2026 T20 Blast. It’s a move that brings excitement, belief, and a whole lot of experience into the county game.
For Lanning, this will be a new and refreshing challenge. Despite playing cricket all over the world, this will be her first time featuring in England’s county system and she’s clearly embracing it. Speaking after the announcement, she shared her excitement to join Lancashire Thunder and be part of a team that is pushing the women’s game forward. With Lancashire already enjoying success in both the 50-over and T20 competitions last season, Lanning sees a group that’s hungry, ambitious, and ready to grow even more.
Meg Lanning’s journey in cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. She made her international debut for Australia at just 18 and announced herself almost immediately, scoring a century in only her second match against England. By the age of 21, she was leading the Australian team, and she created her own legacy. She was a part of a huge successful side, Australia won two ODI World Cups, five T20 World Cups, and a Commonwealth Games gold medal. Five of those World Cup titles came with Lanning as captain, making her the most successful captain in cricket history.
The 33-year-old stepped away from international cricket in 2023 having already secured her place among the greatest batters the women’s game has ever seen. Over her career with Australia, she piled up more than 8,000 runs across formats, including over 4,000 in One-Day Internationals and more than 3,000 in T20 Internationals, numbers that reflect not just longevity, but remarkable consistency at the highest level. Even after retiring from international cricket in 2023, Lanning has continued to shine in franchise leagues.
She has been a consistent presence in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) with Melbourne Stars and a major force in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India. She was the leading run scorer for Delhi Capitals in the inaugural WPL season and guided them to three consecutive finals before moving to UP Warriorz this year. She has also featured in The Hundred, playing for London Spirit and Oval Invincibles.
Lancashire’s Director of Women’s Cricket, David Thorley, summed it up perfectly by calling the signing “hugely significant.” He highlighted not just Lanning’s experience, but her leadership, influence, and ability to lift everyone around her. When Meg Lanning walks out at Emirates Old Trafford in Lancashire colours in summer, it won’t just be another overseas signing. It will be a moment that reflects how far the women’s game has come and where it’s heading next.
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