Meg Lanning, the Australia Women captain, placed her 121 against West Indies in the first ODI in Antigua, among her best knocks.
It was an enterprising effort from the 27-year-old, who had to virtually open the innings as Rachael Haynes was dismissed off the innings’ first ball. Stitching together a 225-run partnership with co-centurion Alyssa Healy, Lanning brought up her 13th ODI ton, in 137 balls.
“It’s right up there, to be honest, just because I had to grind it out and it wasn’t very free-flowing at any point,” she told cricket.com.au.
“I felt relatively scratchy … It was a tricky wicket, there wasn’t a lot of pace in it, and there was some spin as well.
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Lanning became the quickest cricketer to 13 ODI tons on Thursday, September 5[/caption]
“It was one of my slower hundreds, but that’s what the conditions required, and to be able to bat with Midge [Healy], who was going along a bit quicker, took the pressure off a bit.”
It was a historic feat for Lanning, who became the fastest cricketer – male or female – to 13 centuries in the format. She got to the milestone in 76 innings, seven fewer than South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who held the record previously.
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“I was able to absorb some pressure and then attack when I needed to,” she said. “So it was a pleasing effort in some hot conditions. I was certainly struggling towards the back end there.
“It never felt like you were in, but Midge and I spoke about working through the tough periods.
Job done…until the second ODI on Sunday! #WIvAUS #WatchMe pic.twitter.com/BjmlsEKYb5
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 6, 2019
Healy, Lanning’s partner, notched up a 105-ball 122, hitting 12 fours and two sixes. It was her second ton in ODI cricket.
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“It was very hot, very different coming from the UK to over here,” she said. “I enjoyed it, I sweated out a few of the beers I’ve had over the last month and a bit celebrating the Ashes [win]. It was nice to get out there and run around.”
The second ODI between West Indies and Australia will be played in Antigua on Sunday, September 8.
