Meg Lanning, Australia Captain, Deemed Unfit For Women's Ashes 2023; Alyssa Healy Takes Charge

The Aussies have sustained a huge blow with their captain Meg Lanning being ruled out of Women's Ashes 2023.

The medical professionals associated with the Australian team have recommended that Lanning rest at home as part of her ongoing management.

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The Australian Women's cricket team has encountered a significant setback just before the Ashes series as their captain, Meg Lanning, has been declared unfit for the tour on Saturday. Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that Lanning has been removed from the squad due to a 'medical issue'. The medical professionals associated with the Australian team have recommended that Lanning stay at home as part of her ongoing management. The exact duration of her absence and when she will be able to return to the team is currently uncertain.

After taking a break for mental health reasons towards the end of the previous year, Lanning made her comeback to the national team in January 2023. Under her captaincy, Australia achieved a remarkable victory in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in February.

Shawn Flegler, the Head of Performance for Women's Cricket in Australia, expressed his thoughts on Lanning's unavailability, acknowledging it as an unfortunate setback for her. However, Flegler emphasized that they fully support the national captain in her journey towards making a successful comeback.

"She is obviously disappointed to have been ruled out of the Ashes; it's a significant series for the team and she'll be missed, but she understands the need to put her health first," Flegler said as per an official statement released by the ICC.

"Meg will remain at home where she will continue to work with medical staff with the aim to return to playing as soon as possible," he added.

Both Flegler and CA have requested for the Aussie skippers' privacy to be respected. WIth Lanning missing out on the Ashes, Alyssa Healy will captain the women's team for series while Tahlia McGrath will serve as her deputy.

The Women's Ashes series will commence with a solitary Test match scheduled in Nottingham starting from 22nd June. Subsequently, the series will transition to white-ball encounters, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs, as part of the multi-format competition.

Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (captain), Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham