Meg Lanning skips Victoria contract to go full-time franchise cricketer
Synopsis
Meg Lanning has walked away from Victoria's domestic contract to go all-in on global franchise cricket — captaining UP Warriorz in the WPL and Manchester Originals in The Hundred. For a player who dominated international cricket for over a decade, this is a deliberate reinvention, and it signals just how far the franchise economy has reshaped what a top women's cricketer's career looks like.
Key Takeaways
Meg Lanning has opted out of a Victoria state contract for the 2026–27 domestic season , going full-time on the franchise circuit.
She captains UP Warriorz in the WPL and Manchester Originals in The Hundred , and signed with Lancashire for the T20 Blast .
Lanning scored 479 runs at an average of 53.22 in the WBBL last season but remains off-contract with Melbourne Stars .
Co-vice-captain Ella Hayward has also left Victoria, joining Tasmania .
Victoria won zero matches across 12 fixtures in 2025–26 ; Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff are set to return.
Lanning has begun coaching, working with Australia's Under-19 setup as a development coach.
Former Australia captain Meg Lanning has opted out of a state contract with Victoria for the 2026–27 domestic season, choosing instead to pursue a full-time career on the global franchise circuit. The decision marks a definitive new chapter in the 34-year-old's post-international life in cricket.
The Franchise Shift
Since retiring from international cricket in 2023, Lanning has steadily repositioned herself as one of women's cricket's most in-demand franchise players. She currently captains UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India and leads Manchester Originals in England's The Hundred. Earlier this year, she also signed with Lancashire for the T20 Blast, cementing her commitment to the global T20 calendar.
Limited Role at Victoria Before Exit
Although Lanning remained on Victoria's roster after her international retirement, her involvement in the domestic structure had already been winding down. She featured in just four matches during the Women's National Cricket League season and did not return after the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) break, having redirected her focus to overseas commitments. Her future in the WBBL itself remains unresolved — she is currently off-contract with the Melbourne Stars, despite finishing as the competition's second-highest run-scorer last season with 479 runs at an average of 53.22 and a strike rate above 136.
What Cricket Victoria Said
Cricket Victoria head of female cricket Kirby Short confirmed Lanning's departure from the contract list, saying: 'We support Meg's decision. 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.'
Victoria's Broader Rebuild
Lanning is among several notable departures ahead of the new season. Co-vice-captain Ella Hayward has already moved to Tasmania. Victoria are rebuilding after a difficult 2025–26 campaign in which they failed to win a single match across 12 fixtures. On the positive side, pace bowlers Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff will return to the state side after both lost their Cricket Australia central contracts.
Short acknowledged the previous season's results fell well short of expectations but stressed a commitment to gradual improvement. '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,' he said.
Beyond Playing: A Coaching Horizon
Lanning has also begun exploring life beyond the boundary. She worked with Australia's Under-19 setup as a development coach during a tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka, signalling a potential long-term role in shaping the next generation of Australian women's cricketers. With franchise commitments filling her playing calendar and coaching experience accumulating, Lanning's influence on the women's game looks set to extend well beyond her years as a player.
Point of View
Not a one-off. The harder question is what it means for state cricket's ability to develop the next tier of players when its marquee names are perpetually elsewhere. Victoria's winless 2025–26 season is a warning: the pipeline matters, and it cannot be built on franchises alone.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Meg Lanning opt out of Victoria's contract?
Meg Lanning chose not to sign a state contract with Victoria for the 2026–27 season in order to focus on full-time franchise cricket across global leagues. She captains UP Warriorz in the WPL and Manchester Originals in The Hundred, and has also signed with Lancashire for the T20 Blast.
When did Meg Lanning retire from international cricket?
Meg Lanning retired from international cricket in 2023. The 34-year-old has since focused on franchise opportunities in India, England, and Australia's domestic T20 competition.
What were Meg Lanning's WBBL stats last season?
Lanning finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the WBBL last season, amassing 479 runs at an average of 53.22 and a strike rate above 136, all for Melbourne Stars. She is currently off-contract with the franchise.
How is Victoria rebuilding after a poor 2025–26 season?
Victoria failed to win any of their 12 matches in 2025–26. For the new season, they will be bolstered by the return of pace bowlers Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff, both of whom lost their Cricket Australia central contracts. Cricket Victoria has acknowledged the results fell short and committed to incremental progress.
Is Meg Lanning moving into coaching?
Lanning has begun exploring coaching, working with Australia's Under-19 women's setup as a development coach during a tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka. This hints at a broader role in the game beyond her playing career.
