Meg Lanning's big call on Annabel Sutherland amid Aussie gun's $364,000 cricket move

Meg Lanning believes she can claim one final piece of cricketing silverware as she heads to India in an attempt to win the Women's Premier League (WPL). Lanning called time on her illustrious international career in November after nearly 13 years but remains committed to the Delhi Capitals as they search to claim their first title in the league's second edition.

Last year, the 31-year-old fell just short as the Capitals were beaten by the Mumbai Indians in the final. But Lanning is confident they can go one better this year after the side signed her 22-year-old Aussie compatriot Annabel Sutherland.

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The allrounder starred in Australia's recent Test thrashing of South Africa, scoring a double century as she cemented herself as one of cricket's hottest prospects. Sutherland made 210 off 256 balls as Australia amassed a record total of 9d-575 last week. Her score was the fourth-highest in the history of women's Tests, and the fastest double century ever.

Sutherland was snapped up for $364,000 by the Capitals in the WPL's December auction before her South Africa feat, in what was the joint-highest price paid for any player for this year's competition. She will join fellow Aussies Lanning, Laura Harris and Jess Jonassen in the Capitals 2024 side and the former Australian captain believes Sutherland will make all the difference.

"She's really matured on and off the field in the past 12 months to become a really important part of any team that she plays in," Lanning said. "For us, Annabel brings some real power with the bat and can play multiple roles depending on the game situation. One of the biggest improvements in her game has been bowling and her ability to execute under pressure in the back end of the T20 innings, when it can be difficult as batters are going pretty hard."

Meg Lanning says the Women's Premier League is a game-changer

Lanning believes the WPL will transform the quality of women's cricket long-term and is excited to be a part of it once again. "The event's only going to get bigger every year," she said.

"There are a lot of eyes on you, and for the Indian players in particular, it really gives them an opportunity to put their names up there." In the first iteration of the tournament, Lanning fell short of winning the competition but still managed to secure the personal accolade of the orange cap, awarded to the tournament's top run scorer.The WPL will begin on Friday with a rematch of last year's final, with champions Mumbai Indians taking on the Delhi Capitals.

Australians in the Women's Premier League:

• Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning (captain), Annabel Sutherland, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen

• Royal Challengers Bangalore: Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham

• UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy (captain), Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris

• Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (captain), Phoebe Litchfield, Ash Gardner.

with AAP

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