Commonwealth Games: Australian Meg Lanning aims for gold medal
Australia currently hosts the Women's Ashes as well as the World Cups in the game's T20 and 50-over formats.
A men's cricket event was contested at the 1998 Games in Malaysia, but this is the first-ever women's tournament.
"We view this as an opportunity while completely unique. We want to win this gold medal," Lanning, 30, told BBC Sport.
" Our group is really excited about it. It's a new challenge, and I think it comes at the right time for our team."
Australia won the T20 World Cup in 2018 and 2020 and retained the Ashes in February.
Lanning's side also claimed victory in the World Cup in April, beating England in the final to go through the tournament unbeaten.
They are the favorites to win the eight-team T20 tournament which will also feature England, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Barbados.
All matches will be played at Edgbaston from July 29 to August 7 and Lanning said Australia would enjoy the opportunity to be part of a multi-sport Australian team at Birmingham 2022.
< p class="" data-reactid=".1uy4nxuzng4.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10">"It's not something we're not necessarily used to," said Lanning, who has played 100 ODIs and 115 T20I for Australia." We won't get that at the World Cup, we so let's try to embrace it as much as possible and be part of the Australia team as much as possible.
"I grew up watching the Commonwealth Games and I love it. I love the idea of a team atmosphere and coming together.
"One of the things we're looking forward to is to learn from other athletes and to be in the athletes' village to see how other teams and individuals are doing.
"It's also a chance for the game to reach a new audience, a new platform, and it will only continue to grow the game."
"Get cricket at the Games Olympics" alt + story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media" data-reactid=".1uy4nxuzng4.0.0.0.1.$image-16">
Lanning is a strong advocate for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games...
Australia currently hosts the Women's Ashes as well as the World Cups in the game's T20 and 50-over formats.
A men's cricket event was contested at the 1998 Games in Malaysia, but this is the first-ever women's tournament.
"We view this as an opportunity while completely unique. We want to win this gold medal," Lanning, 30, told BBC Sport.
" Our group is really excited about it. It's a new challenge, and I think it comes at the right time for our team."
Australia won the T20 World Cup in 2018 and 2020 and retained the Ashes in February.
Lanning's side also claimed victory in the World Cup in April, beating England in the final to go through the tournament unbeaten.
They are the favorites to win the eight-team T20 tournament which will also feature England, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Barbados.
All matches will be played at Edgbaston from July 29 to August 7 and Lanning said Australia would enjoy the opportunity to be part of a multi-sport Australian team at Birmingham 2022.
< p class="" data-reactid=".1uy4nxuzng4.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10">"It's not something we're not necessarily used to," said Lanning, who has played 100 ODIs and 115 T20I for Australia." We won't get that at the World Cup, we so let's try to embrace it as much as possible and be part of the Australia team as much as possible.
"I grew up watching the Commonwealth Games and I love it. I love the idea of a team atmosphere and coming together.
"One of the things we're looking forward to is to learn from other athletes and to be in the athletes' village to see how other teams and individuals are doing.
"It's also a chance for the game to reach a new audience, a new platform, and it will only continue to grow the game."
"Get cricket at the Games Olympics" alt + story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media" data-reactid=".1uy4nxuzng4.0.0.0.1.$image-16">Lanning is a strong advocate for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games...
What's Your Reaction?
