Trent Rockets sign Kim Garth to replace Meg Lanning

The Australia captain announced her decision on Wednesday to step away from cricket for an indefinite period of leave

Trent Rockets have signed Kim Garth to replace Meg Lanning for The Hundred after the Australia captain ruled herself out of the competition.

Lanning is to step away from cricket for an indefinite period of leave. The Australia captain, who led her side to Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham last week, announced her decision on Wednesday.

Garth, the former Ireland allrounder, relocated to Australia full-time in 2020 and earlier this year signed a three-year Women's Big Bash deal with Melbourne Stars.

She hasn't represented Ireland since the year before her move and is now classed as a local player in Australia after completing her residency.

Lanning, meanwhile, has been Australia skipper for eight years, during which time she has led her team to become the dominant force in global women's cricket. However, the demands of the job - and the relentless nature of touring during a pandemic - have evidently taken their toll.

^{Meg Lanning is to take an indefinite break from the game (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)}

"After a busy couple of years, I've made the decision take a step back to enable me to spend time focusing on myself," she said in a statement.

"I'm grateful for the support of CA and my teammates and ask that my privacy is respected during this time."

A Rockets statement read: "We're naturally disappointed that Meg won't be playing for us this year, but she has our total support as she takes a break from cricket. We wish her all the best."

Related Topics

• Meg Lanning takes indefinite break from cricket, will not play in The Hundred