‘Smiling down': Spin star's ultimate Warne tribute
Bowling a marathon Ashes spell in the shadows of the Shane Warne stand at the MCG, and taking four wickets, was just about the perfect scenario for star Australian leg-spinner Alana King who paid tribute to the late great spin king in the most fitting of ways.
King took 4-45 off a marathon 23 overs, which was only broken by the dinner break, bowling in front of the stand for the first time since it was named in Warne's honour.
She spun the English out of sorts yet again, her spell propelling Australia closer to what would be a historic-first Ashes whitewash.
King has documented her idolisation of 'The King' throughout her dominant series and again hoped he was watching her 'ripping past the outside edge' with pride.
'I think bowling from the Shane Warne Stand end, it's the first time playing here since the stand has been named after him,' she said.
'It's pretty nostalgic, he's obviously taken plenty of poles at the MCG for fun. All I can say is hopefully he's smiling down, having a couple of beers enjoying a few ripping past the outside edge.'
Alana King takes her fourth wicket and it's the big wicket of Sciver-Brunt from 51!📺 WATCH #Ashes on Ch. 501 or stream via Kayo https://t.co/iNJtWHgDIp📝 LIVE BLOG https://t.co/tiSZxLDwHR📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/HOtk5Or5wUpic.twitter.com/zW0a6MQx5L
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 30, 2025
King hit a rhythm early in her spell, shown in a merely unplayable over to England's Sophia Dunkley.
Aussie captain Alyssa Healy was looking to break up King's overs but had no luck prying the ball out of leg-spinner's hands.
'She (Healy) tried to get the ball out of my hand at stages but I am like 'no, I am in a really good rhythm, Midge, I am still happy to go',' King said.
'(Healy) was like 'are you OK?' And I was like 'don't try and take the ball out of my hand, it's coming out really nicely'.
'I was there to do the job for the team, which was tie up one end, I am glad I could – I think our bowlers did a really good job for day one of Test cricket.'
King said she had always seen spin on the MCG wicket but was surprised to see it deviating as much on day one.
She hoped to sit back and watch the batters 'masterclass' on day two before getting the ball back in her hands later on in the Test.
'I have spoken about it before, it has been fizzing out of my hand nicely and I think the beauty of Test cricket is that you can do it for a long time,' she said.
'You're not restricted to four or 10 overs, so when I get into a nice rhythm 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 that you can do it for a long time, you don't have to change your plans all too regularly or quickly.
'Whenever I have bowled here I have always extracted a bit of spin, to do it on day one I was a bit surprised, but I am not complaining.
'It might stay the same for the next three days, I am not sure, hopefully I can put my feet up and enjoy tomorrow's batting masterclass.'
Australia resumed 1-56 just 114 in arrears of England's first innings total.
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