Alana King created magic at the Women’s Ashes Test against England as she produced a delivery with a semblance of late Shane Warne’s wizardry. Australian leg-spinner, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), produced a delivery that had all of the shock value to bowl everyone out. It turned sharply and smashed into the stumps.
In the 37th over of England’s second innings, King’s ball drifted beautifully in the air before landing well outside leg stump. England’s Sophia Dunkley attempted to do a forward defense but was left stunned when the ball spun past her outside edge and crashed into the top of off stump. The delivery was fittingly bowled from the Shane Warne End, reminiscent of Warne’s famous “Ball of the Century” against Mike Gatting in 1993.
Dunkley had no answer to King’s brilliance and walked back for just four runs off three balls, leaving Australia in complete control. It was undoubtedly one of the best deliveries King has bowled in her career, drawing instant comparisons to Warne’s iconic moments. The resemblance to Warne’s magic, particularly his unforgettable ball to Gatting in the 1993 Ashes, added to the aura of the moment.
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Australia dominated the Test throughout, crushing England by an innings and 122 runs. England batted first, after winning the toss, but could only manage 170 runs. Nat Sciver-Brunt was the lone warrior in the first innings, scoring a fighting 51, while Alana King led the bowling for Australia with figures of 4-45. Kim Garth and Darcie Brown were the supporting act with two wickets each.
Alana King. From the Shane Warne Stand end.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/2Hb3umbKaE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 1, 2025
In response, Australia stamped their authority with a massive 440, thanks to a superb century from Annabel Sutherland, who anchored the innings with 163 off 258 balls at No. 3. Beth Mooney also played a crucial role, scoring 106 off 173 deliveries. Despite Sophie Ecclestone’s tireless effort, which saw her pick up 5-143, England had no answers.
Their second innings was also on the same script, with Tammy Beaumont scoring the most runs with 47 and captain Heather Knight managing 32. The rest of the batting lineup crumbled under Australia’s relentless attack, folding for just 148. King once again starred, securing a five-wicket haul to complete her dream match.
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This all-round victory gave Australia a complete sweep of the Women’s Ashes, having already bulldozed England in the three ODIs and three T20Is. Their all-round brilliance was too much for England, and another dominance reinforced their position as the unchallenged hegemon of women’s cricket.
