National captain Meg Lanning has left women's Big Bash League franchise Melbourne Stars.
The Stars have confirmed Lanning, widely regarded as the best female cricketer in the world, will not renew her WBBL contract with the club.
Stars chief executive Clint Cooper called the departure of Lanning, who has skippered the team since the creation of the women's Twenty20 league, a "very disappointing" development.
Lanning's absence won't affect the Stars' planning for this summer. The batter underwent shoulder surgery earlier this month, ruling her out of the upcoming Ashes and WBBL.
Players were previously limited to signing one-year WBBL contracts but this was one of the major changes in the pay deal agreed earlier this month.
It means the gifted 25-year-old is free to sign a multi-year deal with a rival franchise, which could happen as early this week.
"Whilst Meg's decision to the leave the club is very disappointing, we remain absolutely confident that the team we've formed is united and committed to the club's long-term future success," Cooper said.
"We thank Meg for her contribution to the club over the past two seasons."
The Stars are yet to name a replacement captain.
Legspinner Kristen Beams, who will fill in as skipper of Victoria this summer, has previously led the Stars in the absence of Lanning.
Share
