From one spin King to another, WA and Perth Scorchers leg-spinner Alana King paid tribute to Shane Warne’s influence after her bowling heroics in Saturday’s tournament-opening Women’s World Cup win over England in New Zealand.

Less than 24 hours after her hero’s shock death in Thailand, the 26-year-old took 3-59 from 10 overs in her World Cup debut to help Australia defend 3-310 and post a 12-run victory.

King, who was inspired to take up leg-spin after watching Warne as a youngster, bamboozled English opener Tammy Beaumont for 74 in a dismissal the original ‘Spin King’ would’ve been proud of.

She bowled a sharp-turning leg-break to lure Beaumont down the pitch, beating her outside edge before ‘keeper Alyssa Healy whipped off the bails.

It was an emotional wicket celebration, touching her double black armbands for Warne and fellow Australian great Rod Marsh who died on Friday morning.

King also grabbed the scalps of Amy Jones (4) and Sophia Dunkley (28) in a game-changing spell.

“I didn’t realise what I was getting myself into, leg-spin’s a pretty hard task,” King said post-match.

“I think he’s inspired not just me, but plenty of players all around the world to do the great stuff that we do.

There was a bit of an empty feeling... when I woke up. I was a bit of disbelief, to be honest.

“There was a bit of an empty feeling (on Saturday) morning when I woke up. I was a bit of disbelief, to be honest.

“I took some time to read the news and go through all the tributes that have been paid to him.”

King, in her second season at WA and first at the Scorchers, grew up in Melbourne and, like Warne, played for Victoria and Melbourne Stars.

She highlighted Warne’s role on her blossoming career.

“He’s definitely been a big influence, just even his commentary that I listened to,” King said.

“He was just a great thinker of the game and I’ve tried to learn from that.

“He was a big competitor. He never gave in and he was always fighting to the end and I hope that I’ve instilled a little bit of that and I’ll never give up when I’m bowling.”

Australian opener Rachael Haynes was player of the match after blasting 130 off 131 balls and putting on a 196-run second-wicket partnership with skipper Meg Lanning (86 off 110).

In reply, England were restricted to 9-298 with King the leading wicket-taker and Nat Sciver unbeaten on 109 off 85 deliveries.

The Aussies’ next assignment is against Pakistan at Bay Oval in Tauranga on Tuesday.