Meg Lanning’s cricket journey continues to evolve. Nearly three years after stepping away from international cricket, the former Australia captain has taken another significant step, opting not to take a state contract with Victoria for the 2026–27 domestic season as she embraces life as a freelance cricketer.
Lanning, one of Australia’s most decorated captains and among the greatest batters in women’s cricket history, had remained contracted with Victoria following her retirement from international cricket in November 2023. However, her appearances in state colours had steadily reduced. During the 2025–26 Women’s National Cricket League season, she featured in only four matches and did not play for Victoria after the Women’s Big Bash League break.
Instead, the 33-year-old increasingly focused on franchise commitments around the globe. Since leaving international cricket, Lanning has been a regular feature in India’s Women’s Premier League with UP Warriorz and England’s The Hundred with Manchester Super Giants, where she has also held leadership responsibilities. This season, she expanded her portfolio further by signing for Lancashire in the Women’s T20 Blast.
Her domestic commitments overseas have reflected the changing landscape of women’s cricket, where elite players now have opportunities to build careers across multiple leagues worldwide. Victoria Cricket acknowledged the shift and backed Lanning’s decision.
“We support Meg’s decision,” Cricket Victoria Head of Female Cricket Kirby Short said. “The women’s game is growing, and players are now presented with opportunities across the world, which is ultimately a positive reflection of the evolution of our game.”
Lanning’s move comes after another productive season in franchise cricket. While currently off-contract with Melbourne Stars, she remained one of the WBBL’s standout performers last season, finishing as the competition’s second-highest run-scorer with 479 runs at an average of 53.22 and a strike rate of 136.07.
Lanning has also begun exploring coaching pathways. Earlier this year, she worked with Australia’s Under-19 side as a development coach during a tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka, providing another indication that her influence on Australian cricket continues to expand beyond the field.
Victoria’s squad announcement also followed a difficult domestic campaign for the state side. The team endured a winless 2025–26 season, losing all 12 matches across competitions, triggering significant reflection within the program.
“We’re certainly not proud of the results from last season, and we understand we need to be better,” Short said. Victoria have moved to refresh their squad ahead of the new season, adding Ira Aery, Zoe Samuel, Mia Perrin and rookie Bronte Leishman. Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff return after missing out on Cricket Australia central contracts, while departures alongside Lanning include Ella Hayward, who moved to Tasmania, Sasha Moloney and Sophie Reid.
“There is alignment across staff and players about the environment we want to create,” Short added. “It is going to take a lot of hard work, and we understand it will be a case of incremental progress, rather than chasing an overnight solution. We are certainly up for it.”
For Lanning meanwhile, another chapter begins. One of Australian cricket’s most successful leaders is no longer tied to one domestic system. Instead, she joins the growing list of global stars shaping careers across leagues, countries and formats.
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