Australia name 13-member squad for Pakistan ODI series, Meg Lanning returns as captain

Australia’s regular skipper Meg Lanning will be back in action after a prolonged break, as she is set to lead her side against Pakistan in the upcoming ODI series. Cricket Australia named a 13-member squad for the three-match ODI series which begins on January 16. While Lanning resumes her captaincy role, wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy misses out and as a result Tahlia McGrath has been named the vice-captain.

30-year-old Lanning had announced in August 2022 that she would be taking an indefinite break from the game. Since then, Australia have played only one international series, but Lanning also missed the Women’s Big Bash League. In their recently concluded T20I series against India, Healy was named the captain but a calf injury in the fourth game led to her being ruled out of the final contest.

Lanning’s last international appearance was at the Commonwealth Games, where she led Australia to a gold medal, defeating India in the summit clash. She took over Australia’s captaincy at the age of 21, becoming the youngest player ever to lead the side. Under her captaincy, Australia won both the recent editions of the T20I and the ODI World Cup. The world champions now have their regular skipper back on the side, and will be hoping to defend their title at the forthcoming T20 World Cup.

After receiving her T20I debut, Phoebe Litchfield now has gotten the opportunity to get her ODI cap as she has been called up for the ODIs. Kim Garth, another newcomer, may also find herself making her Australian one-day debut following her debut for Ireland in July 2010. Jess Jonassen has been included in the squad, but her participation will be subject to her fitness and recovery, as she suffered a hamstring injury in the first T20I against India.

National selector Shawn Flegler expressed his excitement about Lanning’s return too, and said that she is all set to face Pakistan at home next month.

“We had always hoped she would come back and play, and a great story really. Obviously, she's taken this time to work out what's really important for her, things she needs to do to manage herself. You know, it's a tough gig being the Australian captain and she has done it for a long time, so just really pleased she's refreshed, happy, and knows what she wants to do,” Flegler was quoted by Cricket Australia.

Meg Lanning too shared the news on her social media handle and expressed her excitement of getting back to the game as she wrote:

“Back to it! I can’t wait to be out on the field again with @auswomencricket against Pakistan. Sometimes you just have to hit pause, step back and take a breather. That’s certainly what I needed. The past 6 months have taught me a lot. I’ve learnt so much about myself and who and what is important to me. I’ve always played my cards pretty close to my chest.”

“This experience has given me a greater appreciation of how opening up and talking to the people that care about you really can make the tough times feel easier. It’s ok to ask for help and admit that you don’t have everything under control. Having enjoyed some time and space, I feel refreshed and ready to play the game that I love in teams that I love. It’s such an exciting time for the game and I can’t wait to be part of it,” she added.

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Australia squad for Pakistan ODIs: Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen*, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland