Meg Lanning has quietly stepped away from her state deal, choosing to roam the freelance circuit rather than sign with Victoria for 2026-27. It is no great surprise – the former Australia captain managed just four 50-over games for the Vics last season and none after the WBBL – but it does confirm a shift that has been coming since her international retirement.
At 34, Lanning already has firm T20 plans in place. She is locked in with UP Warriorz in the WPL, has re-signed for Manchester Super Giants in the Hundred and, for something different, has joined Lancashire’s line-up in the English women’s T20 Blast. Her Big Bash future is open: the Melbourne Stars contract has lapsed, even though she was the competition’s second-highest run-scorer last summer (479 runs at 53.22, strike rate 136).
Cricket Victoria’s head of female cricket, Kirby Short, took the move in good part. “We support Meg’s decision,” Short said. “The women’s game is growing, and players are now presented with opportunities across the world, which is ultimately a positive reflection of the evolution of our game.”
Short’s larger task, though, is fixing a squad that lost all 12 WNCL matches last season – the first winless campaign in the competition’s history. In her words: “We’re certainly not proud of the results from last season, and we understand we need to be better.” She added, “What is most encouraging is the shared understanding that’s come from our reflection. There is alignment across staff and players about the environment we want to create. It is going to take a lot of hard work, and we understand it will be a case of incremental progress, rather than chasing an overnight solution. We are certainly up for it.”
The 18-player list announced today is a step in that direction. Pace pair Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff, both recently nudged out of Cricket Australia contracts, are back on full state deals. Annabel Sutherland, Kim Garth, Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham remain nationally contracted but will feature when schedules allow. Teen quick Milly Illingworth keeps her spot, and emerging batter Ira Aery earns a first senior agreement after good Premier Cricket numbers.
Victoria Women 2026-27: Ira Aery, Sophie Day, Samara Dulvin, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth (CA), Hasrat Gill, Olivia Henry, Milly Illingworth, Rhys McKenna, Sophie Molineux (CA), Indigo Noble, Mia Perrin, Georgia Prestwidge, Zoe Samuel, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland (CA), Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham (CA), Bronte Leishman (rookie).
Lanning’s absence will be felt, yet her decision reflects a broader trend. Short-form leagues now run almost year-round; top players can earn well without the grind of domestic fifty-over travel. Whether the Vics can rebuild while their most prolific run-maker chases global gigs is another matter altogether – one that will play out once the WNCL starts in September.
