World Cup postponement gives us a good chance to evolve our game, says Meg Lanning

Australia skipper Meg Lanning said the postponement of the Women's World Cup by 12 months has given her team extra time to plan and prepare adequately in order to win back a trophy that slipped from their grasp in 2017.



Since their loss in that historic semi-final in Derby in the previous edition of the World Cup, the six-time champions have won 20 of their last 21 ODIs, including a record 18 on the bounce. The team have found another gear, annihilating all opposition with utmost ease. However, the skipper is not willing to rest on her laurels, and is keen for her side to "evolve" their game ahead of the 2022 event.



"It gives us a good chance to evolve our game a bit and try a few things," Lanning told SEN on Tuesday (August 25). "We’ve got some new players in the squad as well. We’ll try and work out the best combinations how we can play our best cricket leading into that 2022 year."



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Going into the bi-lateral series against New Zealand next month, Australia have named an 18-member squad with the trio of Belinda Vakarewa, Maitlan Brown and Tahlia McGrath being added to the T20 World Cup winning side. While both Vakarewa and McGrath are making comebacks after strong performances in domestic cricket over the last couple of years, Brown earned her maiden call-up to the squad.



The Rose Bowl series will be the first time Australia take the field since their historic win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 8. The players have since been stuck in their respective homes, largely training indoors, before being recently given the go-ahead to begin outdoor training.



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Lanning, who is stuck in Victoria - which is in 'stage 4' lockdown - said it has been a challenging period, but she can't wait to return to the field soon.



"It’s been a challenge not being as active as I’d like, the one-hour limit cuts that back a fair but," she admitted, adding that she hopes the women's game hasn't lost too much momentum due to the extended break.



"It’s hard to know what the impact of the break will be, but hopefully the momentum hasn’t been halted too much … the New Zealand series is a great chance to get women’s cricket front of mind again, so hopefully everyone jumps on board and we keep building the sport."