ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: Meg Lanning of Australia looks on during a Southern Stars training session at Adelaide Oval on February 21, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
Meg Lanning will make her return to professional cricket on Thursday for Victoria against New South Wales in the Women's National Cricket League.
The Aussie skipper chose to take some time away from the game after the Commonwealth Games in August.
She will play two games for Victoria before returning to the international stage in a three-match ODI series against Pakistan. The first ODI commences on January 16.
Another returning member is Georgia Wareham who has returned after being sidelined since 2021 with a ruptured ACL injury.
“It's going to be fantastic to have both Meg and Georgia back on the field for Victoria, especially against NSW in a match that will have a so much international experience,” said Sharelle McMahon, Cricket Victoria's Head of Female Cricket.
“We've seen first-hand how hard Georgia has worked in her rehabilitation, so to see her back on the field is a great reward.”
“It's always exciting to have our Australian players represent Victoria, we're fortunate to have them around the group for these matches as they prepare to take on Pakistan.”
Victoria is currently in sixth place in the WNCL, with NSW one place higher on the ladder.
Australia are currently ranked first in the ICC Women's team rankings for ODI with a whopping 170 rating. The ranking is 51 points greater than the second-ranked side, and have a rating 107 higher than Pakistan.