Alana King, after a blazing comeback performance on Thursday, is being seen as an essential figure for Australia’s impending tour of India. Her return to international games since the Ashes Test in June saw her decimating the West Indies middle order, securing the remarkable ODI figures of 3-16 in the canceled second match at the Junction Oval.
Despite missing ten consecutive white-ball games, King’s prowess was unavoidable; reclaiming her position on the team in the wake of Darcie Brown’s hamstring injury. The team captain, Alyssa Healy, recognized her heightened game standing in the week ahead of the tour to India this December.
King’s undeniable abilities became bold evidence for Healy, who had experienced her bowling techniques throughout the week. Healy acknowledged the sweeping changes in King’s air speed, spin control, and length accuracy, all of which deemed her worthy of becoming the first spinning option in the game.
Healy asserts that the forthcoming day-night Test, although it hasn’t been officially confirmed for Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, holds enormous potential for King. She is expected to join the quadrant of spinners including Georgia Wareham, Ash Gardner, and Jess Jonassen. The capriciousness of her technique, which challenges both edges of the bat, coupled with her ability to put considerable work on the ball, makes her a formidable force on the pitch.
The exciting opportunity of an India tour makes all the aforementioned spinners hopeful. Healy remarked on the conditions in India, stating all assistance would be required to secure victory.
Sophie Molineux, the left-arm cricketer, who has been away from Australia’s roster for two years despite being an integral part of the World Cup-winning team, was counted out of making a comeback. This due to the Melbourne Renegades confirming her absence from the WBBL season while she recovers from an ACL injury.
However, with the tour fast approaching, there is positive news on the horizon: Captain Meg Lanning could be back in international cricket before the tour, after an impressive start making her comeback post an extended health break. Her recent batting proficiency guided Victoria against Queensland in Brisbane on Thursday.
As of now, the Indian cricket board has not released an official schedule for the December tour, but expectations are for a day-night Test, followed by three ODIs and three T20s.
