Physical Address
Suite 5, 181 High Street,
Willoughby North NSW 2068
King stars as Aussies bowl out England | 03:30
After a dazzling display of leg-spinning brilliance on the opening day of the Ashes Test at the MCG, Australian star Alana King said she hoped legendary bowler Shane Warne was looking down from the Heavens in delight.
King was as beguiling in the historic Test as the King of Spin was during his grand career and mesmerised the English batters when bowling exclusively from the end of the MCG where the Shane Warne Stand is positioned on Thursday.
Unlucky not to snare five wickets after spilling a difficult caught-and-bowled chance from Lauren Filer, the 29-year-old finished with 4-45 from 23 overs as Australian bowled England out for 170 after sending the tourists into bat.
In response, Australia survived a tricky period under lights against the pink ball relatively unscathed to reach stumps at 1-56, with Annabel Sutherland not out on 24 and opener Phoebe Litchfield unbeaten on 20.
The Australians last night allayed concerns about the fitness of Ellyse Perry, saying she corked a hip when landing awkwardly on a ball while fielding. The superstar was unable to field after the injury and was undergoing a medical assessment on Thursday night.
King, who was raised in Melbourne, said she felt at home bowling in the first pink ball Test to be held at the MCG in a match that serves as a nod to the first series between the two nations in Australia 90 years ago.
“Bowling from the Shane Warne Stand end is something that (is) the first time I’ve ever done, playing obviously here since the stand has been named after him,” she said.
“(It was) pretty nostalgic. He’s obviously taken plenty of polls (wickets) at the MCG for fun, so yeah, all I can say is hopefully he’s smiling down and having a couple of beers and enjoying a few ripping past the outside edge.”
King, who has starred in a series which Australia is seeking to clean sweep with a triumph in the Ashes Test, is bowling as though she could land the pink ball on a five-cent piece at the moment.
She extracted plenty of spin and turn from the Day One pitch in Melbourne, with her deliveries also drifting beautifully on the breeze. And bowl she did, with King ended up stretching together 23 straight overs when effectively refusing to give up the ball.
“It is pretty cool. (I have) loved playing at the MCG and I have played a few games here. It’s home for me. I have loved playing Test cricket and to bowl the whole session was pretty cool,” she said.
“(Captain Alyssa Healy) tried to get the ball out of my hand at stages. But I’m like, ‘No. I’m in a really good rhythm, Midge. I’m still happy to go.’ And she’s like, ‘Are you okay? You’re bowling a lot.’ I’m like, ‘Don’t try and take the ball out of my hand.’
“It’s coming out really nicely, but (I’m) just there to do the job for the team, and it was just to tie up one end. And glad I could. And I think our bowlers did a really good job for Day One of Test cricket.”
The Aussie star said that she felt the Test format suited her as a leg-spinner in the form she is currently in. It is only the fifth Test of her career.
“It’s been fizzing out of my hand really nicely and I guess the beauty of Test cricket is you can do it for longer periods of time. You’re not restricted to only four or 10 overs,” she said.
“So when I get into a nice rhythm, I think it’s really hard for me to go away from what I do well. And that’s challenge both sides of the bat. The best thing about Test cricket is you can do it. As I said, you can do it for a long time.
“You don’t have to change your plans too regularly or quickly. We can stick with a plan for four, five, six or maybe seven overs until they throw the first punch. I’m just happy to keep hitting your length and let the ball do the talking.”
English star Nat Sciver-Brunt, who top-scored with 51 before being bowled by King, has captained the Australian in the English competition The Hundred and is far from surprised with how the Victorian is bowling.
“I obviously played with her at the Rockets and I know what she can do, so no, it’s not a surprise,” she said.
“When someone feels confident, when they’re in a good environment, and you know, obviously feeling good about their skill, it’s not a surprise that she’s got the wickets that she has, really.”
Sciver-Brunt believes the English bowlers did a good job containing the Australian top-order in the last session at the MCG, with the hosts scoring at only 2.54 runs an over when watchful under lights against the pink ball.
She said the key to the tourists working back into the Test was to not go seeking wickets via “miracle” deliveries and instead focus on maintaining pressure on the Australian top-order.
But King feels Australia is in a strong condition and is looking forward to putting the feet up and watching a “batting masterclass” on Friday.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 30: Nat Sciver-Brunt of England leaves the field after being dismissed by a2during day one of the Women’s Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 30, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
