Australia’s Meg Lanning has cemented her place in cricketing history as the greatest captain of all time after leading her team to a third consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup title.
The Australians comfortably defeated hosts South Africa by 19 runs in a disciplined bowling and fielding effort, shutting down the opposition’s batters who never came close to Australia’s total of 156-6.
Lanning’s leadership has now resulted in four T20 World Cup titles and one ODI World Cup title, making her the captain with the most ICC tournament wins in both men’s and women’s cricket.
There's nobody on Meg Lanning's level!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 26, 2023#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/iBYn4T7uxU
The team’s big-match temperament shone through as they secured their sixth T20 World Cup victory overall.
The victory was a team effort, with Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner, Darcie Brown, and Jess Jonassen all taking a wicket each.
No-one can match Meg Lanning’s success as captain
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 27, 2023pic.twitter.com/MJI3Pr9gch
Lanning attributed their success to enjoying the process, keeping things simple under pressure, and putting pressure on their opponents. The victory underlines Australia’s status as the best team in the world, having won six of the eight T20 World Cups played.
Most ICC titles as captain
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 26, 2023
5 – Meg Lanning (2014, 2018, 2020, 2023 T20 WC and 2022 ODI WC)
4 – Ricky Ponting (2003, 2007 ODI WC and 2006, 2009 CT)
3 – MS Dhoni (2007 T20 WC, 2011 ODI WC, 2013 CT)
QUEEN#SAvAUS scorecard
https://t.co/OtAUKVbcHJ | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0yVQhLhYGw
The cricketing world has been in awe of Lanning’s leadership and her ability to inspire her team to greatness. She has shown exceptional skill in guiding her team to success, setting a benchmark for captains in cricket history.
With Lanning at the helm, Australia’s dominance in women’s cricket seems set to continue for the foreseeable future.
