Rachael Haynes ready to lead Australia in Lanning's absence 

Rachael Haynes in action

Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes on Thursday expressed her willingness to take up the leadership duties of the national side in the absence of regular skipper Meg Lanning.

After leading Australia to a gold medal in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Australia’s World Cup-winning skipper Meg Lanning decided to take an indefinite break from cricket due to personal reasons.

Australia’s next international assignment is a five-match T20I tour of India in December. It will be followed by hosting Pakistan in January before taking part in the Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa in February. 

Haynes willing to lead Australia

"I've stepped into that role before when Meg's been injured and I'm current vice-captain so whoever the head coach is and whoever the national selectors think is the best person to do it (is up to them),"  

"I'm definitely open to doing it myself, or if there's another person who they think is better suited, then they'd have my full support as well. So that's not my decision – it's a few people who have to mark that off … I'm happy to do it moving forward, but that's not in my hands."

Haynes as captain?

If Lanning continues to be on the sidelines then Haynes will emerge as the top contender to lead in her absence. In her international career spanning over 13 years, Haynes has led the Australian women's team in 14 matches across the three formats, which includes an Ashes triumph in 2017.

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