Lanning: WBBL should just be called the BBL

Twelve months on from her team’s night of crowning glory at the MCG, Meg Lanning is eyeing further strides on the women’s sporting front.

Or, as she says, it should just be called the “sporting front”.

Australian captain Meg Lanning in conversation with MCC president Michael Happell and artist Vincent Fantauzzo, who will be painting a portrait of the T20 World Cup-winning team to be displayed at the MCG. Credit:Chris Hopkins

Lanning was back at the ’G on Sunday for the announcement that the Melbourne Cricket Club had commissioned award-winning artist Vincent Fantauzzo to create a piece commemorating the Australian women’s team’s win over India in the Twenty20 World Cup final at the venue in front of 86,174 on International Women’s Day a year ago.

The artwork will sit outside the famous Long Room and form part of the MCG tour.

“It’s great. I think it’s just a really great recognition of the moment that it was and the impact it has had on people, and I guess by having it in such a high-traffic area, lots of people to see it and lots of young people to see it, that can hopefully inspire them and just remind them of what an impactful moment it was,” Lanning said.

“Obviously, when you go to all the big grounds it probably is male-dominated in terms of statues and artwork and things like that and hopefully there are some really cool things happening not too far away. This piece of artwork is a good step forward I guess. Everybody involved in getting it up and running has done a great job. I hope this is the start of a little bit more recognition of achievements and I think in turn hopefully it can inspire younger people to want to follow their dreams and dream big.”

Looking back at that incredible night which occurred only days before COVID-19 caused the cancellation of Melbourne F1 Grand Prix, Australian captain Lanning acknowledges that the team had been fortunate to get the game played in front of such a large attendance, given the manner in which the world was swiftly and dramatically changing.

“I think we realise how lucky we were to get the final in,” she said.

“I think a week later and it probably wouldn’t have happened. It would have been a real shame I guess if it couldn’t have panned out the way it did. The year’s gone by quickly to be honest. It’s not been the year we all thought we were going to have but I think it has made you realise what’s important to you.”

Lanning says she has been pleased by the manner in which Cricket Australia has protected the women’s game from the economic effects of the pandemic. But there are significant strides still to be made according to the champion batter.

“The more we can refer to it as just ‘sport’ rather than just ‘men’s’ and ‘women’s sport’ is a good thing. So hopefully that continues to change because while it might only seem like a small thing, it still differentiates it a little bit,” Lanning said.

“There’s definitely conversations that happen around it. While it does seem quite small and subtle it can make a big difference. So it’s just starting that conversation I guess. Even with something like the WBBL and BBL, it’s sort of the same competition, so even little messages like that.

“I think it could just be the BBL, for both competitions. I don’t think that would be a major change. Subtle things like that can make a big difference.”

Lanning also wants to see all Australian domestic players move to full-time contracts to help continue driving the game forward.

And she is also mindful about the sport’s second-tier of nations and ensuring they do not fall behind.

“I think we’ve seen probably the stronger nations playing cricket and perhaps the countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka perhaps not getting as much cricket in as we have. So that’s something to keep an eye on.”

Lanning and her side head to New Zealand next weekend for a white-ball tour.

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