"I want to stay at the top": No.1 ranked King keen to keep throne Alana King, the newly crowned No.1 ODI bowler, has expressed her determination to maintain her position at the top of the ICC rankings. The Australia leg-spinner emphasized her commitment to improving her game and contributing to her team’s success. After a strong performance in the one-day leg of the multi-format series against India, where she took seven wickets at an average of 16.71, including a crucial 4-33 in the third match, King secured her first No.1 ranking in the ODI bowling rankings, ending Sophie Ecclestone’s 1,450-day reign. While her focus in Perth was on the pink ball and a potential return to Test cricket, King acknowledged her white-ball success as a reward for her hard work. “It definitely came as a surprise when I saw it on socials earlier today, but it’s a nice little reward,” she said in an interview with cricket.com.au. “But I don’t think you can be satisfied with just getting there. You want to hopefully stay at the top – and I’m just going to keep focusing on doing my role for this team.” King highlighted the importance of her teammates in her journey, stating, “I absolutely love this team, and I think they helped me get to places and create those chances and take those wickets.” She also emphasized the need for continuous improvement, noting, “I speak to a lot of people about my bowling, and just want to keep getting better every chance I can.” The 30-year-old’s ambitions extend beyond rankings. She aims to transform the WACA Ground into a spinners’ paradise during the upcoming Test match against India. Despite the challenges of a predicted Perth scorcher, King remains confident in her ability to exploit the conditions. “I think the best thing for me is I get to bowl for a lot longer,” she said.#india #alana_king #alyssa_healy #waca_ground #icc_rankings
Lucy Hamilton's journey from Bundaberg to the Baggy Green marks a significant milestone in her cricketing career, with the possibility of her Test debut looming on the horizon. The 19-year-old fast bowler, already a seasoned player with experience in the Women's Premier League and ODI cricket, is poised to take her next step in the sport. Her potential inclusion in the Test squad for the day-night match against India at the WACA Ground has sparked excitement, as she prepares to face the challenge of international cricket. Hamilton's rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Captaining the Australian U19 team, making her ODI debut, and showcasing her talent in the Women's Big Bash League have all contributed to her rapid ascent. Her performance in the WBBL|11, where she played a key role for Brisbane Heat, highlighted her ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. Despite her youth, Hamilton's composure and skill have earned her praise from teammates and coaches, who see her as a future all-rounder in the mold of Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland. Her ODI debut in Hobart last Sunday was a standout moment, where she unsettled the India top order with her pace and accuracy. Though she didn't claim a wicket, her spell demonstrated the potential that has led to her inclusion in the Test squad. The injury of fast bowler Kim Garth has created an opportunity for Hamilton to step into the spotlight, where she is expected to share the new pink ball with Darcie Brown. Beth Mooney, a teammate and former captain, praised Hamilton's calm demeanor and effectiveness, noting that her approach to bowling challenges batters and suits the conditions at the WACA. Hamilton's cricketing resume is as impressive as her on-field performances.#waca_ground #lucy_hamilton #bundaberg #baggy_green #brisbane_heat
India revisit 2023 win ahead of WACA Test as daunting challenge awaits India’s cricket team is preparing for a Test match at the WACA ground in Perth, aiming to rebound from a recent ODI whitewash against Australia and secure a draw in the multi-format series. The team is drawing inspiration from their historic eight-wicket victory over Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in December 2023, which marked their first Test win against the Aussies in over a decade. Coach Amol Muzumdar highlighted the importance of revisiting that match, stating the team gained valuable insights and motivation from the performance. “We just watched it before coming in... got those memories back and a lot of intel from there and data collected,” he said. The WACA ground presents a stark contrast to the conditions of the Wankhede match, with its surface no longer fast and bouncy but still offering a challenging environment for batters, particularly in the early stages of red-ball matches. India’s batters will face a steep learning curve, but the team’s pace attack is shorthanded due to the absence of Renuka Singh, who is sidelined for workload management. The squad has called upon uncapped player Kashvee Gautam, along with seamers Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, and Amanjot Kaur, none of whom have Test experience. Muzumdar acknowledged the inexperience but expressed confidence in the group’s potential. “Sayali is very experienced in domestic cricket, and while they’re young for international cricket, they’re exciting talents,” he noted. India’s return to the Test arena is significant, as the team has only played 42 Test matches since their debut in 1976, with a gap of over three years since their last overseas Test in October 2021.#india #australia #wankhede_stadium #waca_ground #amol_muzumdar
