In the realm of international cricket, few names shine as bright as the seven-time World Cup winner, Meg Lanning, the Australian cricket star renowned for her prowess with the bat. She recently bid farewell to international cricket, leaving an indelible mark with a career spanning numerous achievements and accolades. Lanning’s legacy stands as a testimony to her unparalleled skill and dedication to the game.
Lanning’s story doesn’t end there, in a recent match for the Delhi Capitals against Gujrat Giants in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL), she stamped her name into the records of cricketing history once again.
Captaining the Delhi side, Lanning showcased her prowess by becoming the fastest (by innings) women player to reach the monumental milestone of 9000 T20 runs. This remarkable feat was achieved during the first innings against the Gujarat Giants at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, March 3.
Leading from the front, Lanning’s fifty carried the Delhi Capitals to a formidable total of 163 runs against 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs against the Gujarat Giants. Her innings of 55 runs off 41 balls at a brisk strike rate of 134.15 was a testimony to her unwavering skill and composure under pressure. The innings included a maximum and six boundaries, marking her second half-century of the WPL 2024 season.
The achievement of reaching 9000 T20 runs in just 289 innings solidifies Lanning’s position amongst the cricketing greats. Her fastest ascent to this milestone breaks the records set by other notable players such as Beth Mooney who reached this milestone in 299 innings, Sophie Devine recording 9000 runs in 297 innings, and Suzie Bates achieving this with 323 innings. Her status as one of the most formidable forces in women’s cricket remains an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide.
Fastest to 9000 runs (by innings)
289* innings – Meg Lanning
299 innings – Beth Mooney
297 innings- Sophie Devine
323 innings – Suzie Bates
Lanning displayed her stunning capabilities, as she emerged as the leading run scorer during the inaugural 2023 Women’s Premier League season. Throughout the tournament, Lanning showcased her batting prowess accumulating a splendid score of 345 runs in just nine matches, including two half-centuries boasting a strike rate of 139.11. Being the highest run scorer at the end of WPL 2023, she received the accolade of Orange Cap for such a brilliant performance.
Lanning’s outstanding international career records 132 T20 Internationals (T20Is) where she exhibited sheer dominance registering an impressive 3405 runs at a formidable strike rate of 116.37. In November 2023, Lanning chose to retire, concluding a chapter of her international career that will forever be carved in cricketing history.
Meg’s unparalleled dedication and exceptional talent complemented with unmatched achievements served as inspiration for future generations, reminding us all of the strong impacts, one individual can have on the game of cricket.
(Stat credit: Kishan Kishor)