Leg-spin all-rounder Alana King, the 30-year-old Ashes hero and recent ODI World Cup standout, has opened up on her “disappointing” exclusion from Australia’s T20I squad for the ongoing multi-format series against India. With Australia hosting Harmanpreet Kaur’s reigning world champions from February 15 to March 6, 2026, including three T20Is, three ODIs, and a pink-ball Test, the snub stings especially as a farewell for retiring skipper Alyssa Healy.
India already leads 1-0 after a 21-run DLS win in the SCG opener, where Sophie Molineux made her captaincy debut as Alyssa Healy’s successor. Yet Alana King, Australia’s one of the leading wicket-takers during the 2025 ODI World Cup in India (13 scalps at 17.38 average, including a record 7-18 vs South Africa), refuses to dwell, channelling the setback into ambition for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5.
Alana King’s omission favours fellow leggie Georgia Wareham in a packed 14-player squad, boasting skipper Sophie Molineux and Ashleigh Gardner. Despite her T20I haul last year, six wickets at 16.33 average and 7.53 economy, selectors prioritised balance. “It’s always disappointing when you miss out on a squad, especially in a pretty big series against India,” King told Fox Cricket. “Not much I can do about that. It is what it is. You can’t fit everyone into the squad, let alone the XI.”
The Victoria-born Perth Scorchers stalwart, who migrated west in 2020, views it as squad makeup reality, not a full stop. With just six T20Is before the World Cup, she’s laser-focused, “I can control what I can control. You’ve got to turn the disappointment into a bit of fuel and try to keep knocking the door down.”
Injuries have tested her resilience, notably a fractured little finger during the recent WBBL edition that curbed her output to a career-low 12 wickets at 28.16. “I never thought that a little pinkie would play a pretty big part in how I bowled leg spin,” she admitted. “It affected it quite a bit. Hopefully, I don’t break any more fingers.” Now recovered, “should be good to go”, King eyes the WACA Test, her home deck redeveloped for multi-format action.
She’s adapted her arsenal, honing top-spinners to exploit the bounce on a traditionally pace-friendly surface. “The extra bounce is great. I’m not really a tall person, but everyone knows that,” she quipped, crediting the move for evolving her game.
King respects the new era under Molineux, her ex-Victoria teammate now leading all formats post-Healy. “She’s a tremendous person. I’m excited to have her as a skipper. I’m pumped for her.” Healy’s farewell, 295 caps so far, 7106 runs, 275 dismissals, six T20 World Cups, and the 2022 ODI crown, leaves a void. “You can’t really put into words what Midge has done. Her fiery edge, we’re going to miss that,” King reflected, hoping Australia honours her with silverware.
Facing India, who ousted Australia in last year’s World Cup semis en route to the title, promises fireworks. King, who trained with stars like Jemimah Rodrigues in the Women’s Premier League, anticipates rivalry: “India are a formidable team. It’s going to be pretty heated, it’s going to be fiery, and I think that’s what brings the best out of both teams.” For King, this snub isn’t a defeat; it’s propulsion toward England, where her wrist-spin could yet sparkle.
(Quotes sourced from Fox Cricket)
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