Alana King, the leg-spinning hero of the Women's Ashes, is determined to keep her World Cup dream alive despite a recent setback. King's omission from Australia's T20 squad to face India has left her feeling disappointed, but she's not giving up hope just yet.
Last summer, King was named player of the Women's Ashes, and her record-breaking performance against South Africa in the World Cup campaign is a testament to her skill. With 7 wickets for just 18 runs, she showcased her ability to dominate on the international stage. However, the selection panel opted for fellow leg-spinner Georgia Wareham, leaving King out of the squad for the upcoming series against India.
But here's where it gets controversial... King's stats from last year's T20Is speak for themselves. She claimed 6 wickets at an impressive average of 16.33 and an economy rate of 7.53. So, why was she left out? King believes it's a matter of squad composition and limited spots available.
"It's a hard pill to swallow," she shared with Fox Cricket. "You can't fit everyone in, and sometimes it's just the way the cookie crumbles."
Despite the setback, King remains focused on her short-term goals. She understands the importance of staying present and not getting too caught up in future tournaments. "I'm just taking it one step at a time," she explained. "I want to put on good performances and keep those lines of communication open with the coaching staff."
And this is the part most people miss... King recently recovered from an injury that affected her bowling during the T20 competition. She fractured her little finger, which limited her control and precision. However, she's confident it won't be an issue for the India series.
"It was a frustrating injury, but I'm feeling good now," she said with a smile. "I'm ready to give it my all and contribute to the team."
India, the reigning world champions, are a formidable opponent. King, who trained with some of their players during the Women's Premier League, knows the challenge ahead. "We're playing the best, and we're not shying away from that," she stated. "Our best will have to be world-class to beat them."
The multi-format series against India concludes with a four-day Test at the WACA, King's home ground. She's passionate about seeing more women's international cricket played at this venue, believing it provides an excellent contest for both batters and bowlers.
"I love playing at the WACA," she enthused. "It's a biased opinion, being a local, but I think it's a great venue for women's cricket."
King has adapted her game since moving to Western Australia, developing her top-spinner to suit the hard deck at the WACA. Despite the venue traditionally favoring fast bowlers, she's expanded her repertoire of deliveries to adapt to the conditions.
"It's been a learning curve," she admitted. "But I think it's helped me grow as a bowler."
Sunday's T20 series opener in Sydney will mark a new era for the Australian team, with Sophie Molineux taking over as multi-format captain. King, who played alongside Molineux at Victoria, described her as an incredible leader.
"She's a fantastic person and an inspiring leader," King said. "I'm excited to see her make her mark as captain."
As for the outgoing captain, Alyssa Healy, she will lead Australia in her final four appearances during the ODIs and Test against India. Healy's retirement marks the end of a remarkable 16-year international career, during which she won six T20 World Cup titles and lifted the Women's World Cup in 2022.
"Midge has been an incredible leader and a fierce competitor," King reflected. "We'll miss her passion and drive, but we want to send her off with a win and another trophy."
The women's T20 series between Australia and India kicks off at the SCG on Sunday evening. Will King's determination pay off, and will Australia rise to the challenge against the world champions? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Should King have been included in the squad? And can Australia overcome India to reclaim their spot at the top? Let's discuss in the comments!
