Australia spinner pays perfect Shane Warne tribute in England World Cup win

03/05/2022

Australia spinner Alana King paid the perfect tribute to Shane Warne as her side beat England in the Cricket World Cup on Saturday.

Warne died aged just 52 on Friday, shocking the sporting world and beyond.

He was found unresponsive in a villa in Thailand, where he was holidaying with friends.

Despite the best efforts of pals and medics, Warne was pronounced dead after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Less than 24 hours after the terrible news, Australia's women were in action.

In England's chase, King spun one past the outside edge of the advancing Tammy Beaumont, with wicketkeeper Alyssa Healey gathering and whipping off the bails.

King patted the black armband on her jersey, in tribute to Warne, after executing a delivery the great man himself would have been proud of.

Rachael Haynes and Nat Sciver both scored hundreds in a thrilling clash, which Australia won by 12 runs after posting a total of 310-3.

England threatened an unlikely victory, largely due to Sciver's unbeaten 109, but fell just short in the final over.

After the game, King explained the impact Warne has had on her career.

"I think there was a bit of an empty feeling this morning," she said. "When I woke up there were a fair few messages about the great S.K. Warne.

"I was in a bit of disbelief, to be honest. I took some time to actually read the news and go through all the tributes that have been paid to him. He has every right to have all those tributes.

"He was a big inspiration to me and probably the reason why I picked up leg spin. Getting to the MCG on Boxing Day as a kid to see Warney just take poles for fun.

"I didn't realise what I was getting myself into! Leg spin is a pretty hard task. But I think he has inspired not just me, but plenty of players all around the world to do the great stuff that we do.

"It was a pretty sad 24-48 hours for Australian cricket with the passing of Rod Marsh as well.

"The girls kind of dealt with it in their own way and we just knew that if we put our best foot forward we'd be doing those boys upstairs pretty proud."

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