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On Day 3 of the Only Test in the Women’s Ashes 2025 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australian leg-spinner Alana King delivered a masterclass in spin bowling, leaving the English batting lineup in tatters. King’s remarkable spell saw her claim a sensational five-wicket haul in the second innings, including the prized scalp of England’s Sophia Dunkley.
Alana King’s stunning spin bowling
In the 37th over of England’s second innings, King delivered a ball that had shades of Shane Warne’s magic. Tossed up on leg-stump, the delivery lured Dunkley forward in defense. However, the sharp turn away from the bat completely beat Dunkley’s edge and crashed into the top of the off-stump, a sight that had the Melbourne crowd roaring in approval. Dunkley managed just 4 runs off 3 balls, including a boundary, before falling victim once again to King’s brilliance.
Here is the video:
The ballpic.twitter.com/CQprQLCo6R
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 1, 2025
Interestingly King dismissed Dunkley in the first innings, during the 39th over, King delivered a beautifully floated ball that drifted towards the leg stump. Dunkley, trying to stay leg-side of the delivery, misjudged the flight and drove it off the outer half of her bat straight back to King, who accepted the catch with glee. A brief umpire’s review confirmed it wasn’t a bump ball, sealing Dunkley’s dismissal after a gritty 21 from 71 balls.
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Clinical Australia thrash England in the Pink-Ball Test to register a 16-0 whitewash at Women’s Ashes 2025
Alana King’s five-star show steals the spotlight
King’s brilliance wasn’t limited to her battles with Dunkley. In the second innings she tore through the English batting lineup with precision, skill, and variations that left the batters clueless as in the 35th over, after setting up Nat Sciver-Brunt with a series of loopy leg-breaks, King unleashed a perfectly disguised googly. The ball pitched around middle, slid past the inside edge, and struck Sciver-Brunt on the pads. A review confirmed it was hitting the top of leg stump, sending Sciver-Brunt back after a quick 18.
Tammy Beaumont, England’s most resilient batter, fell victim to King’s artistry in the 41st over. Trying to cut a slow, turning delivery outside off, Beaumont managed only an inside edge that ricocheted onto her stumps. Falling just three runs short of a half-century, her dismissal left England reeling.
In the 53rd over, Ryana MacDonald-Gay couldn’t resist the temptation of a juicy full toss drifting in. She attempted an aggressive shot but lacked the power and placement, sending the ball straight into the hands of Darcie Brown at deep mid-wicket.
King’s final act came in the 69th over when she lured Lauren Filer into a false shot with a loopy delivery on leg stump. Filer chipped it straight to Annabel Sutherland at short mid-on, sparking wild celebrations from the Australian team. This final dismissal not only secured King’s five-wicket haul but also sealed Australia’s emphatic victory.
16-0! Australia clean sweep the #Ashes! pic.twitter.com/RTuXEZWCcx
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 1, 2025
Also READ: AUS vs ENG: Fans go gaga over Beth Mooney’s record-breaking ton on Day 3 of the Pink Ball Test | Women’s Ashes 2025
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.