WPL 2024 – Meg Lanning enjoying cricket after international retirement – ‘Weight’s been lifted’
“I feel like a weight, sort of, has been lifted in a way. I can enjoy myself. I still have the competitive edge when I need to. The environment at Delhi is great, it’s fun, it’s really relaxed. We back each other to go and play to our strengths. It makes my job easier. I just want to go out, have some fun and have a smile on my face.”
But is she batting any differently after the retirement?
“I am just enjoying playing cricket,” Lanning said. “I am having a great time with Delhi, we have got a really good squad of players and staff that make it a cool environment to be in. I feel like there’s a little bit less pressure and expectation. I just come into the game wanting to contribute and help the team win. So it’s been nice to be able to do that. I feel like there’s a little bit of improvement needed in how we are playing, I am not completely satisfied, but it’s been nice to contribute. As I said, I am just trying to have some fun and enjoy myself.”
However, given a busy domestic calendar and now the WPL, the retirement has not quite sunk in for her.
“I actually haven’t had a lot of time to do that [explore new things] yet,” she said. “Obviously, [I have been] playing domestic back in Australia and then the WPL here. Once the tournament finishes, there will be a big chunk of time. It will probably hit me harder and you know, sort of come to terms with it a little bit more.
“[I am] sort of exploring a few different options in the background. The good thing for me is I don’t have to rush into anything. I can keep playing and keep being involved. When an opportunity pops up, I can take it. Will just see how the back end of the tournament pans out, and then I will see what happens after that.”