Alyssa Healy hopeful of Meg Lanning return for West Indies sequence
Alyssa Healy is hopeful Meg Lanning may return to cricket for the house sequence in opposition to West Indies this October and can gladly relinquish the captaincy if the star batter desires it again.
The hiatus got here shortly after she returned in January from a four-month mental-health break and solid recent doubt over Lanning’s future in cricket.
But the 31-year-old has returned to the general public eye in latest weeks, notably spending time with AFL facet Collingwood and recommencing sponsorship appearances for Cricket Australia.
Lanning’s team-mates had beforehand been reluctant to talk intimately about her absence. But on Tuesday, Healy gave the strongest indication but that Lanning may return to play within the coming months.
Healy hoped that comeback may are available in time for Australia’s white-ball sequence in opposition to West Indies that may function three T20Is and three ODIs on the east coast in October.
Returning for that sequence may additionally place Lanning to play for Melbourne Stars within the WBBL, which begins later that month.
“I’ve spoken to her in bits and pieces but I left her alone during the Ashes because it would have been tough for her to watch,” Healy mentioned. “I haven’t seen her just yet but from all reports she’s going really well. I look forward to hopefully seeing her back in Aussie colours in October against the Windies.
“I’m at all times hopeful [of her return], and I feel the entire nation is hopeful of that, however that is a call not for me. Hopefully she’s taking part in some cricket actually quickly. From all experiences, she’s progressing rather well for the summer time.”
Lanning’s vice-captain since last October, Healy was named skipper for the Ashes but said at the time it was “bittersweet” to earn the captaincy in such circumstances. She said she would gladly step aside if Lanning wanted to reclaim the captaincy on her return.
“Meg is the captain of the Australian ladies’s cricket crew, and I’m absolutely conscious of that truth,” Healy said. “I’ve simply been doing my job as greatest as I can for the group, however that is a call and a dialog for Meg to have.
“We want her to be fit and firing first and foremost, and if that means coming back and taking charge of the team then I’ll happily step aside and support her in the best way I know how.”