Meg Lanning, who captained Australia’s women’s cricket team to five World Cup victories, has retired from the international game after representing her country for 13 years.

The 31-year-old top batsman won a combined seven world titles and a Commonwealth Games gold with a dominant Australian team, scoring 8,352 runs in 241 matches across all three formats.

“The decision to retire from international cricket has been a difficult one, but I feel now is the right time for me,” Lanning said in a statement.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to have enjoyed a 13-year international career, but I know now is the right time to move on to something new.

“Team success is why you play the game; I’m proud of what I’ve been able to achieve and will cherish the moments I share with my teammates along the way.”

Lanning made her debut as a teenager in a Twenty20 match against New Zealand in 2010 and scored the first of her 17 career centuries against England in her second one-day international the following year.

She had already won the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2012 and the 50-over World Cup in 2013 before taking over the captaincy in 2014 at the age of 21.

Under her leadership, Australia won 80% of their matches and won another World 50-over crown in 2022, as well as the T20 titles in 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023.

Victory in 2020 was secured in front of a record crowd of 86,174 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, while the title decider in South Africa in February this year turned out to be her last international game.

“One of the best female cricketers Australia has produced, Meg’s outstanding achievements with the cue are matched by her inspirational leadership,” Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said.

“As one of the best players in the world over a long period of time, Meg made an immeasurable impact and led a generation that helped change the game.

“Under Meg’s leadership, the Australian women’s cricket team has built a legacy of global dominance and has been at the forefront of growing the game and inspiring the next generation of female cricketers around the world.”