A dominant 2014 has seen Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars captain Meg Lanning named the ICC Twenty20 International women’s cricketer of the year.

The Australian skipper has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months with the bat; tallying 625 runs at an average of 52.08 and a strike rate of 145 to place her atop the women’s T20I run-scoring table.

The 22-year-old also led the Southern Stars to their third successive ICC World T20 in Bangladesh, setting a new world-record mark with 126 off 65 balls against Ireland in the group stage along the way.

Back on home soil, Lanning orchestrated a clean sweep of both Pakistan and the West Indies, averaging 100 (with three not-out innings) and 50 runs respectively.

“I didn’t really expect it to be honest,” Lanning told cricket.com.au.

“It’s not something I really think too much about.

“I suppose team success is what you go after the most and individual rewards come soon after that.

“Especially in a World Cup year, it’s always nice (to perform well).

“You’re probably more likely to be recognised if you’re in a winning team.

“I’ll have to thank my teammates for that one.”

Lanning’s preference to defer credit to her teammates belies an inner confidence that has seen her grow into one of the most destructive hitters and cunning strategists in women’s cricket across her near four-year career.

But despite cementing her position as an international star, the Aussie skipper’s approach to T20 cricket is decidedly simple.

“I think it’s important not to think too much to start off with,” Lanning said.

“It’s just about going out there and playing your natural game and not getting too caught up in trying to hit boundaries all the time and playing to your strengths.

“You can’t get too caught up in swinging across the line or anything.

“If in doubt, just hit harder I guess.”

The 2014 ICC awards provided plenty of reasons for Australian cricket fans to celebrate with Mitchell Johnson also taking out the men’s cricketer of the year gong and Aaron Finch the T20 award.
(cricket.com.au)