Cricket superstar Meg Lanning reveals the dangerous obsession that ruined her physical and mental health and made her quit the sport

Decorated Australian cricketer Meg Lanning has revealed her dangerous obsession with over-training and dieting put her health at risk and ultimately led to her retiring from international cricket aged just 32.

Speaking on the Howie Games podcast , Lanning opened up about constantly 'over exercising and under fuelling' while representing her country.

At one stage the batter, regarded as one of cricket's greatest ever players, was running up to 90km a week as her weight fell from 64kg to 57kg.

Lanning, who won seven World Cups in her distinguished career, denied she had an eating disorder - but conceded her mood swings would have been obvious to teammates.

'I was over exercising and under fuelling. I got to the point where I was doing about 85-90km a week. I was in denial. It became a bit of 'I am going to show you' sort of thing,' Lanning said. 

'It sort of just spiralled. I was not in a place to be able to go on tour and play cricket and give the commitment levels required for that Ashes series mentally and physically.

'I am naturally fine spending time with myself but there were very few people who I would want to engage with. I would get really snappy – real moody – if anyone asked anything. 

'I got down to 57kg from 64kg. It wasn't ridiculous [but it was] significant.

'The ratios were out of whack. I did not realise [it affected] my ability to concentrate.

'I didn't really want to see other people. I disengaged a lot from friends and family.

'It [running] became a bit of an obsession. I could escape mentally. I would throw the headphones in but would not take my phone with me. I would have my [Apple] watch with me and listen to music. Nobody could contact me.'

Manning went onto outline she often struggled to sleep after pushing her body to dangerous levels, and as a result 'dreaded night time.'

In November last year, Manning announced she was walking away from international cricket, and was excited for her future.

She declared at the time: 'I am exploring a few different options in the background. The good thing for me is I don't have to rush into anything. 

'I can keep playing and keep being involved. When an opportunity pops up, I can take it.'