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AAP
AAP
Oliver Caffrey

Lanning says Australia's cricket dominance can continue

Meg Lanning leads the Australian team on to the field for the 2022 World Cup final in Christchurch. (John Davidson/AAP PHOTOS)

Legendary captain Meg Lanning believes Australia's all-conquering women's cricket team are well placed to continue their incredible dominance.

Australia are looking for a permanent captain for the first time since 2014 after Lanning's decision to retire from international cricket, aged 31.

In 182 games under Lanning's captaincy, Australia had an 80 per cent win rate and claimed five World Cup titles.

Australia are currently the ODI and T20 champions after winning both World Cups in the past two years.

Alyssa Healy has filled in for Lanning during extended periods, but at age 33 the dashing keeper-batter is unlikely to be the long-term successor.

Alyssa Healy (left) and Meg Lanning.
Alyssa Healy (left) has often been stand-in captain in the absence of Meg Lanning (right).

Healy is also recovering from a severe injury to her right index finger after trying to break up a fight between her dogs at home last month.

Lanning said she hadn't given much thought about who would be Australia's next captain.

"There's some good young players coming through," the superstar batter said at her retirement press conference on Thursday.

"I've got no doubt that whoever takes over will do an excellent job.

"They'll learn a lot very quickly and hopefully take the team to wherever they want to go. 

"We've been so successful and it's been built over a long period of time.

"The players and leaders within that side will no doubt continue to grow the team and make sure that we keep having success.

"I'm sure whatever way they go, it'll all work out really well."

Australia have had a period to adjust to being without Lanning, arguably the greatest women's batter in history, during the past two years.

Lanning initially took a break from cricket last year following Australia's gold medal triumph at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, returning for the home series against Pakistan in January.

But she didn't take part in this year's drawn Ashes series in England because of undisclosed health issues.

Lanning's final game in Australian colours was the T20 World Cup final win over South Africa in February.

After the WBBL finishes, Australia will embark on a tour of India, where they are expected to play a day-night Test in Mumbai in December. 

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