Australia women’s team captain Meg Lanning is eyeing the gold medal in the upcoming T20 tournament in the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. Cricket is returning to the Commonwealth Games after 24 years, and it will be the first time that T20 cricket or women’s cricket will be featuring in the mega event.
Lanning recollected her memories of watching swimming and hockey at the Commonwealth Games growing up and applauding Australia’s teamwork in various sports. But she felt that she may never get the opportunity to be a part of the mega event as cricket was never a part of it. Australia being the champions of the 20-20 world cup and the ODI world cup are favourites to clinch the gold medal at the grand event.
“Certainly, the aim is to win gold,” Lanning told the ABC. “I remember watching a lot of the swimming and hockey at the Commonwealth Games growing up and really loving the teamwork of the Australian athletes across a range of sports.”
“But because cricket was never really a part of it, I didn’t expect to be able to get this chance myself,” said the Australia captain. “As a group, we’re looking to embrace this opportunity because being part of a wider Australian team is new for us, and it might not be something we ever get to do again.”
The ‘Cricket T20’ will begin in Birmingham on July 29, Friday with the opening match scheduled to be played between India and Australia. The teams have been divided into two groups, with Group A having India, Australia, Pakistan and Barbados while Group B has New Zealand, England, South Africa and Sri Lanka. The final of the mega event will be played on August 7 at Edgbaston.
Cricket last made an appearance at the Commonwealth Games way back in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. South Africa led by Shaun Pollock won the gold medal, beating Australia led by Steve Waugh in the finals by four wickets. New Zealand finished third and won the Bronze Medal. The apex cricket body is in talks to bring cricket to Olympics as well by 2028.
