King claims historic hat-trick in perfect Hundred debut

Aussie leg-spinner Alana King has taken the first hat-trick in the history of England's Women's 100-ball competition.

Fresh from a gold medal for Australia in the Commonwealth Games last weekend where she was denied the feat when Meg Lanning dropped the hat-trick ball at slip against Barbados, King had a near-perfect day with bat, ball, and in the field on debut for Trent Rockets.

The 26-year-old scored a quick 19 off nine, claimed 4-15 off 20 deliveries with the ball, and took a fantastic catch to cap off a stunning all-round performance as her Rockets comfortably beat the Manchester Originals by 43 runs at Old Trafford.

Image Id: C8B33BDD99DB490CAB2016AF28E4FBF5 Image Caption: King celebrates her hat-trick after dismissing Kate Cross // Getty

King's performance came at the same venue where her hero, Shane Warne, dismissed Mike Gatting with the ball of the century in 1993 and she paid tribute to the legendary leg-spinner after the match.

"I hope he's looking down and pretty proud that I've spun a few today, it's just a special place Old Trafford and I'm glad I could take some poles here," said King.

"It was pretty special but I'm here to do a job for the team and I'm glad it came off today … stoked to get the win and I'm glad I could contribute."

In Saturday's later game in Cardiff an all-Australian partnership of 82 in 54 balls by Ellyse Perry (58 off 31 balls with ten fours) and Sophie Molineux (29no off 29) put Birmingham Phoenix on the way to a 19-run victory over Welsh Fire.

In Manchester, the Rockets had struggled with the bat in the absence of Australian captain Lanning, who is taking an indefinite break from cricket, as they slipped to 4-43 after 40 balls.

Abbey Freeborn led the recovery, top-scoring with an unbeaten 45 off 38 balls and she was aided by King's aggressive cameo, who whacked the only sixes of the innings with two towering strikes over mid-wicket off Hannah Jones and Deandra Dottin as she dragged the Rockets to what looked an under par 5-119.

Recently retired former South African international Lizelle Lee got the Originals off to the perfect start, hitting the first ball of the chase for six.

She followed that up with two more fours to take 14 from Katherine Brunt's opening set of five.

However, after Emma Lamb was bowled by Katherine Bryce for a duck the innings faltered.

King also removed former West Indies allrounder Dottin without scoring and with the score 4-45 her historic hat-trick ended any chance of a recovery.

Image Id: E91E0D4923FB45EEA387040ECF85EE7A Image Caption: King took 4-15 and smashed 19no off nine balls in her first game for the Rockets // Getty

Cordelia Griffith was bowled for 12, then Sophie Ecclestone trapped lbw first ball and with the crowd anticipating history, Cross was bowled to complete the hat-trick with a jubilant King wheeling away in celebration.

King's near-perfect day wasn't over either, as she took an excellent catch diving forward to dismiss Ami Campbell off fellow leg-spinner Sarah Glenn for 13.

From there the Originals innings petered out, finishing in disappointing fashion with a run out to leave them with a heavy 43-run defeat.

Before the Perry-Molineux partnership New Zealand's Sophie Devine launched Phoenix 's innings with 48 off 25 balls as they finished on 5-161, the second highest total in the history of the Hundred's women's competition.

Fire began well enough – England's Tammy Beaumont (39 off 34) led the charge with a 47-run opening partnership with West Indies' Hayley Matthews (20 off 15), followed by an injection of quick runs from Rachael Haynes (14 off seven).

But though Aussie teammate Annabel Sutherland cracked 34 off 20, the Fire could only make 5-142 from their 100 balls. 

Australians at The Hundred 2022

Women

Birmingham Phoenix: Sophie Molineux, Ellyse Perry

London Spirit: Beth Mooney, Megan Schutt

Northern Superchargers: Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy

Southern Brave: Tahlia McGrath, Molly Strano, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Trent Rockets: Alana King, Elyse Villani

Welsh Fire: Nicola Carey, Rachael Haynes, Annabel Sutherland

Men

Birmingham Phoenix: Kane Richardson, Matthew Wade

London Spirit: Nathan Ellis, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott

Manchester Originals: Sean Abbott, Ashton Turner

Oval Invincibles: Hilton Cartwright

Southern Brave: Tim David, Marcus Stoinis

Trent Rockets: Daniel Sams

Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa