The league contest of the ICC Women’s World Cup involving the tournament favorites and defending champions Australia and Sri Lanka was touted to be a fairly one-sided contest with the Aussies expected to dominate the proceedings.
But, little did they know, a few minutes later, the wonder girl from Australia, Meg Lanning walked in to take center stage for her nation in pursuit of the target. And the rest, as they say, is history as the Australian skipper notched up her 11th One Day International hundred and made a mockery of the run chase by romping home with eight wickets.
With plenty of runs under her belt, Lanning transformed from being a rookie in the team to one of the mainstays in the lineup of the Aussies. She was touted to be one of the front-runners to carry the legacy of Australian cricket.
Meg Lanning recently has identified South Africa as a potential dark horse leading into the ICC T20 World Cup, following several outstanding performances off late in the WBBL.
“There are a few South Africans who played some really good cricket throughout,” Lanning told Direct Hit.
“Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk, Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon, Mignon du Pree and Lizelle Lee.”
“That’s a pretty good top seven players for South Africa who all dominated at different times throughout the tournament.”
The South African women, currently ranked sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings, have never won a T20 World Cup. This year they really do have a good chance. In a group alongside England, Pakistan and West Indies, their 2020 campaign will get underway against 2009 champions England at the WACA Ground on February 23, 2020.
“I guess there are positives and negatives to all our internationals playing in our competition,” Lanning reasoned.
“They certainly make it a better quality competition, but they obviously get the chance to see our players and play in our conditions.
“We get to see them as well, which I guess helps us.
“It will be a great battle in the World Cup. It’s certainly going to be of high quality.
“If the WBBL is anything to go by, it’s going to be really exciting.
“It was nice to get to know them a little bit more and bat alongside Jonsey for long periods as well.”
“We had some good partnerships there.”
England wicketkeeper Jones notched up 391 runs, scored three half-centuries, and averaged 32.58 from her 13 innings in orange.
“Hopefully she’s got all her runs out with the Scorchers and is a little bit quieter at the World Cup,” – Meg Lanning
Source: cricket.com.au
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