Perth Scorchers' star leg-spinner Alana King has made a startling revelation, admitting she has bowled through the pain of a broken finger for almost the entire WBBL12 season.
The Hidden Injury Battle
King sustained the fracture to her pinky finger on her spinning hand during the Scorchers' second match of the campaign against the Brisbane Heat on November 12 at Allan Border Field. Despite the significant discomfort, which she says affects every delivery, the Australian international has continued to take the ball for her team.
Her performance, however, has not met her own high standards. The injury has coincided with a dip in her usual wicket-taking output. After nine games, King has claimed just five wickets at an average of 46.2, figures she is determined to improve as Perth enters a critical phase of the tournament.
Pushing Through Pain for the Team
Speaking after the Scorchers' 30-run victory over the Melbourne Renegades at the WACA on Tuesday night, King was candid about her struggles and her focus on improvement. "I probably haven’t had the season that I wanted to, these nine games, but I can’t really do much with a little broken digit," she said.
"I’m still battling away with that and trying to contribute in any way that I can for this team. I love playing for the orange team." The finger issue was also noticeable during her explosive innings of 22 runs from just eight balls in that same match.
King identified a specific area for immediate attention ahead of Saturday's must-win clash against the Brisbane Heat. "I’d love to start my overs a lot better than I have been this whole tournament, and it’s something I will definitely work on for Saturday’s game," she explained.
The Finals Scramble and a Final Push
With the league incredibly tight, the Scorchers likely need another victory over the Heat to secure a finals berth, with net run rate expected to decide the final placings. King acknowledged the congested nature of the competition. "It has been a close season, and I guess a few rain-affected games have brought the comp a lot closer together," she said.
She emphasised the team's mindset heading into the decisive fixture: "We knew how important this game was coming to the pointy end of the season, so we’ve ticked off one, and we’ve got one more to come against the Heat on Saturday. As a group, we’re really trying to hit our straps come the pointy end of the season."
Despite the physical challenge, King remains buoyed by the support from her captain and teammates. She plans to consult with bowling coaches and skipper Sophie Devine to refine her plans, confident in the backing she receives from Devine and the safe hands of wicketkeeper Beth Mooney.
