Alana King

With performances worthy of her surname, Alana King has been the lynchpin for Australia’s white ball successes over the past half decade or so. She is of Anglo-Indian descent, with her parents having moved from Chennai to Australia. Alana King grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne and had a keen interest in sports right from a young age. She played tennis, softball, baseball and cricket at school level, before deciding to go pro as a cricketer.

Alana King got a rookie contract as a 16 year old for the Victoria team in the Women’s National Cricket League. She was also a surprise pick by the Melbourne Stars in the inaugural season of the Women’s Big Bash League. Her opportunities were limited in the initial years, but 2021-22 was her breakthrough season as she emerged as the fifth highest wicket taker in the WBBL as she moved over to Perth Scorchers.

King got debuts in ODI and T20 cricket shortly after, and has since been a consistent feature in this Australian team. She has been the designated first choice spinner for the Australian team, and was part of the squad that won gold in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. King also won the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 T20 World Cup with Australia. She was the Player of the Series in the 2024-25 Women’s Ashes, tormenting the English batters with her leg spin.

Alana King has been a consistent performer in franchise cricket as well, representing the Trent Rockets in the 2022 season of the Hundred. She became the first woman to take a hat-trick in the Hundred as well that season. In 2024, King was picked by UP Warriorz for the Women’s Premier League.