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Alana King's Legspin Puts Australia in Command in Pink-Ball

  • Publish date: Friday، 31 January 2025
Alana King's Legspin Puts Australia in Command in Pink-Ball

Australia 56/1 (Sutherland 24, Litchfield 20, Bell 1-21) trail England 170 (Sciver-Brunt 51, King 4-45) by 114 runs**

Alana King delivered a mesmerizing legspin masterclass at the MCG, leading Australia’s charge against England on the opening day of the pink-ball Test. Bowling in front of the Shane Warne Stand, King spun a web around the English batters, finishing with career-best Test figures of 4 for 45 as England collapsed for 170.

Nat Sciver-Brunt’s resilient 51 was the only real resistance in England’s lineup, but even she struggled against King’s relentless attack. The Australian spinner’s brilliance overshadowed an unexpected pop-up concert by Australian artist G-Flip during the dinner break.

The only downside for Australia was a hip injury to Ellyse Perry, who left the field after landing awkwardly while fielding. As a precaution, she did not return to bat on the first evening and will be assessed in the morning.

Taking her place, Annabel Sutherland walked in at No. 3, ensuring Australia ended the day comfortably at 56 for 1, alongside Phoebe Litchfield. Georgia Voll was the only wicket to fall after opening on her Test debut.

England Struggles Against King’s Spin

Australia’s decision to bowl first on an MCG surface with 9mm of grass paid off as their bowlers kept England in check. However, they could have wrapped up the innings even sooner, missing four chances off King’s bowling alone.

Beth Mooney missed a stumping and a catch behind, Alyssa Healy spilled a slip chance due to her injured foot, and King herself dropped a caught-and-bowled opportunity. Despite these lapses, England failed to capitalize.

King’s brilliance was on full display when she deceived Sophia Dunkley into a simple return catch before dismissing Danni Wyatt-Hodge with a sharp legbreak. Sciver-Brunt was beaten multiple times before finally edging behind, only for Healy to spill the catch.

England’s decision to leave out Charlie Dean and rely on a three-seamer attack proved costly, as their lone spinner Sophie Ecclestone fell to King after chipping a catch to cover.

Sciver-Brunt was dismissed for the fifth consecutive time in the series—her third time falling to legspin—while Amy Jones was bowled by Ash Gardner, playing back to spin.

King narrowly missed out on a maiden Test five-wicket haul after Mooney dropped Ryana MacDonald-Gay’s edge and then missed a return catch from Lauren Filer. Eventually, Darcie Brown claimed Filer before Lauren Bell was run out to end England’s innings.

Early Strikes Set the Tone

Before King’s heroics, Brown and Kim Garth dismantled England’s top order with a fiery opening spell. England quickly slumped to 47 for 3, with Maia Bouchier continuing her poor form, nicking behind for just 2.

Tammy Beaumont was trapped lbw for 8 by a sharp Brown delivery, while skipper Heather Knight endured a shaky innings. She survived an lbw review before edging behind, only for Mooney to drop the chance. However, Garth made amends by trapping her lbw to put Australia firmly in control.

With Australia trailing by just 114 runs and nine wickets in hand, the hosts are in a dominant position heading into Day 2.

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