Watch Video: Alana King’s ‘ball of the century’ that fans cannot keep quiet about

Some deliveries are good, some are great, and then there are those that become immortal. Alana King’s unplayable leg-break to dismiss Sophia Dunkley in the final Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was one such moment—pure cricketing magic, a delivery that will be replayed for years to come. Scroll down to watch the replay of the unplayable delivery.

Watch Video: Alana King's 'ball of the century' that fans cannot keep quiet about
Watch Video: Alana King’s ‘ball of the century’ that fans cannot keep quiet about

With Australia on the brink of an emphatic 16-0 Ashes whitewash, King stepped up and produced what can only be described as a masterpiece. Bowling with rhythm and confidence, on the second ball of the 37th over, she released a leg-break at 72.1 kph, sending the pink ball drifting and dipping outside Dunkley’s leg stump. The English batter leaned forward, presenting the full face of her bat, believing she had covered the spin. But the ball spun and spun big.

From a surface that had 9mm of grass—one where seamers had dominated in men’s cricket—the pink ball gripped, turned viciously, and clipped the top of off stump. Dunkley didn’t even turn around to confirm her fate. The unmistakable sound of timber told her everything she needed to know.

The delivery was reminiscent of Shane Warne at his best, a ball so skillfully crafted that it became an event in itself. In this Ashes series, every ball King bowled carried a sense of anticipation, a feeling that something special might unfold. And at the MCG, she delivered a “money-can’t-buy” experience for those lucky enough to witness it live.

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England’s batting collapse was the final chapter of a one-sided Test match. After being dismissed for 170 in the first innings, England dropped eight catches and missed a stumping. Australia capitalized in ruthless fashion, piling on 440 runs, thanks to Annabel Sutherland’s majestic 163 and Beth Mooney’s gritty 106.

King and Ash Gardner combined for nine wickets in England’s final innings and Australia won by an innings and 122 runs.

The result sealed an unforgettable Ashes campaign for the Australians. Not only did they dominate the Test match, but they also swept the white-ball leg, winning the ODI and T20I series 3-0 each to complete a historic 16-0 clean sweep.

Her 23 wickets in the series equaled Ash Gardner’s record from the 2023 Ashes and was awarded the Player of the series award.

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