Alana King’s ‘Warne-esque’ Bowling Earns Her Ashes Player of the Series, as Mike Gatting’s Batting Sparks Debate

On day three of the Women’s Ashes Test at the MCG, Alana King delivered a remarkable performance, securing figures of 5-53 that places her alongside some of cricket’s legendary spin bowlers.

Before being awarded the player of the Ashes series for her impressive tally of 23 wickets throughout the competition, it was a single delivery on that day which left a former cricketing icon utterly impressed.

As King unleashed one of her finest deliveries to dismiss England’s Sophia Dunkley on Saturday, former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee offered high praise.

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Lee referred to the delivery as “Warne-like”, tipping his hat in tribute to the late Shane Warne, one of the game’s all-time great spin bowlers.

“Not many players in the world would have managed to get bat on ball with that one,” Lee remarked during his commentary on Fox.

Lee also compared King’s delivery to the iconic “Gatting ball”, famously bowled by Warne to Mike Gatting on the second day of the first Test of the 1993 Ashes series at Old Trafford—Warne’s debut delivery in the Ashes.

“Is that Mike Gatting at the crease?,” Lee quipped.

King graciously accepted the compliments following Australia’s innings and 122-run victory over England, sealing an impressive 16-0 series whitewash.

The Victorian spinner claimed a total of nine wickets across the two innings, producing earlier figures of 4-45.

This match marked the first time she bowled from the Shane Warne Stand end at the MCG.

In an apt tribute, she bowled exactly 23 overs while taking those four wickets, a salute to the number associated with Warne.

“He certainly took plenty of wickets at the MCG, so I hope he’s looking down, enjoying a few beers and watching the ball fly past the outside edge,” King reflected following her exceptional display.

With the victory on Saturday night, King’s name has been forever inscribed on the MCG honour board, alongside her remarkable 5-53 figures.