The Australian women’s cricket team added another feather in their cap as they retained the ICC Women’s Championship Trophy on Saturday. The Meg Lanning led team took the winning lead in the eight-team ODI competition played from 2017-2020.
Hence, the Aussies were awarded the Championship for the second time in a row. Lanning acquired the coveted trophy from Holly Colvin, ICC Women’s Cricket Manager, post T20I tri-series match between Australia and India in Melbourne.
In a record run chase, the Indian women’s team won their final encounter in the league stage of the ongoing Women’s T20I tri-series by a margin of seven wickets.
Lanning, while receiving the trophy, claimed that the team was looking to bring back the silverware back home in the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be held in New Zealand.
“It’s pleasing to have won the ICC Women’s Championship for the second time and, of course, to have secured our spot at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand next year. It’s going to be,” stated an elated Meg Lanning while receiving the trophy.
Australia have been presented with the ICC Women's Championship trophy by England's World Cup champion Holly Colvin.
Meg Lanning's team are on 🔝 of the 2017-20 table, having won 17 of their 18 games played, with one round of matches yet to go 👏 pic.twitter.com/MhWo13yEIa
— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2020
Lanning hoped that this is a great initiative to provide more opportunities for the other teams, giving more meaning to bilateral events.
“The Championship has been a great addition, giving more context to the ODIs we play and providing more opportunities for us to play against the other seven teams involved,” the Australian captain added.
In hindsight, Lanning believes that more Asian teams must feature in the cricketing itinerary, with the upcoming multilateral events.
“With a T20 World Cup not far off, it’s been really important playing against the likes of Pakistan and Sri Lanka who we haven’t played against a lot in the past. We’ve been able to learn more about them and the way they go about things which helps us prepare for major tournaments,” concluded Lanning.
