But Australia’s batting has been shaky. They were bowled out in 50 overs in two of their last three ODIs and lost six wickets chasing just 205 in the first ODI against England and were lucky not to lose more.
King said the batsmen will have a conversation about adjusting their methods before the third ODI in Hobart on Friday.
“I think maybe it’s just adapting to the conditions much better and trying to find a way to score when it’s quite difficult,” he said after the second ODI. “They’ve got some world-class bowlers… [Sophie] Ecclestone is the number one bowler in the world at the moment so I’m trying to find ways to stay positive against her and even [Lauren] File cabinet at the top. You know it’s got a raw, aggressive pace, so there’s no doubt there will be some talk between now and next time in Hobart. But I’m sure we will adapt as quickly as we can.”
Australia have been able to adapt with the ball in both games so far. They were surprised by the amount of spin on offer at both North Sydney Oval and Junction Oval in Melbourne, and King and Gardner have prospered as a result.
“I’m pretty excited that there’s a little bit of bounce and spin, and also a lot of buying,” King said. “I’m going to stick to my strengths and that’s still bowling really well, getting it out of my hands and getting everything I can off the wicket. That’s just finding my rhythm, but more importantly, finding my length.” “.
“I feel grateful and very privileged every time I get to put on the jersey. I love it, and I love this group, and I’ll do anything to help this group win and put us in good situations, I guess. And if that’s doing some tough overs, I’m more than happy to do it for the captain and do what’s best for the team.”
alana rey
King’s length control was impeccable throughout his spell in the second game. Her throw to take down Danni Wyatt-Hodge was the perfect leg break. He slid towards leg stump, lunged and swung sharply beyond Wyatt-Hodge’s forward defense and struck hard. Wyatt-Hodge looked completely bewildered as King and Australia celebrated. But even King wasn’t sure how much he had turned.
“I haven’t really seen it, so I’ll let you know when I’ve seen it a couple times,” King said. “She’s a pretty dangerous player, so seeing her back from the start was pretty special.”
King is in good form after barely bowling in the first four ODIs he played this summer. King bowled just 13.1 overs in the three-match series against India in December, taking four wickets at 17.50 and a strike rate of 19.75.
But in his last three ODIs, he has bowled 26 overs for figures of 3 for 34, 2 for 35 and 4 for 25. He has not played a T20I since the 2023 World Cup final, with Georgia’s preferred leg-spinner Wareham Australia in that format. It would be a surprise if King was not considered for the T20Is against England in this series and she is certainly willing to put her hand up.
“I feel grateful and very privileged every time I get to put the jersey on,” King said. “I love it, and I love this group, and I’ll do anything to help this group win and put us in good situations, I guess. And if that’s bowling hard, I’m more than happy to do it.” “That’s why I love playing for Australia and there’s no doubt I love the Ashes too.”
Alex Malcolm is associate editor of ESPNcricinfo
