Meg Lanning to return to cricket for Australia-Pakistan ODI series

The Australia skipper opted to take a break from the game following the 2022 Commonwealth Games, missing The Hundred, WBBL, and the national side's recent tour of India

Meg Lanning is set to return to cricket in 2023 after being named in Australia's 13-strong squad to face Pakistan in January.

The Australia skipper opted to take a break from all cricket following the 2022 Commonwealth Games, sitting out The Hundred (she was due to represent Trent Rockets), Women's Big Bash and the national side's recent tour of India.

Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath led the national side in her absence while Nicole Faltum took charge at Melbourne Stars.

^{Lanning stepped away from cricket in August 2022 after leading Australia to Commonwealth gold [Ryan Pierse/Getty Images]}

"After a busy couple of years, I've made the decision to take a step back to enable me to spend some time focusing on myself," Lanning wrote back in August. "I'm grateful for the support of Cricket Australia and my teammates and ask that my privacy is respected during this time."

Announcing her return to the side, national selector, Shawn Flegler, said: "Meg brings so much to the side both on and off the field, and it's pleasing to welcome her back at such an important time with the T20 World Cup just over a month away.

"The Indian series allowed us to blood some new talent and it's pleasing to be able to retain Kim and Phoebe for this series.

"Heather Graham, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Grace Harris unfortunately miss out; however, they all remain in contention for selection for the T20 leg of the tour and T20 World Cup.

"Alyssa won't have recovered from her calf injury in time, so that presents an opportunity for Beth to take the gloves in her absence."

Australia are scheduled to play three ODIs against Pakistan between January 16-21 as well as two T20Is on January 24 and January 27. The latter matches will serve as preparation for the 2023 T20 World Cup, which gets underway in South Africa in February.

Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland