Kristen Beams was 29 when she made her debut for Australia as a leg-spinner with a prominent googly She has played a crucial role in taking wickets in the middle overs. Although a late bloomer, she was very quick to secure a permanent spot for herself in the team. In her early days, she played for Tasmania, her home state, but then later moved to Victoria to pursue her career in cricket.
Beamsfinished her 2017 ODI World Cup campaign as the third highest wicket-taker. However, the wicket that people remember, is of Mithali Raj getting bowled out on 36 in the second semi-final match against Australia. Mithali had misjudged the ball and tried playing it on the backfoot, whereas the ball was too full for that shot. Although Harmanpreet Kaur scored a 171 and helped India win the match, that wicket of Mithali by Beams was very upsetting as a fan. This was not the first time she had trapped Mithali. Even during the league matches, she had taken a catch off her own bowling to dismiss Raj for 69.
More interestingly, Georgia Wareham is the current 7th ranked bowler in T20I format and has played alongside Beams for both Victoria and Essendon–Maribyrnong Park. She credits the experienced leg-spinner as a major influence on her development.
“Beamsy is really good. We talk a lot about what she thinks about when she’s bowling and it’s good to be around her.” It shows how important and valuable it is to have someone like Beams as their mentor.
Alana King who was exceptional with the ball in the 2025 ODI World Cup, with a record-breaking spell of 7 for 18 against South Africa, stated, “As a young Victoria leg spinner, Beams was the biggest mentor I had, and someone I looked up to. She was playing for Australia at the time and was my team-mate at Victoria.”
Beams has been instrumental in shaping young players with tips. With extreme match awareness and strategy, Beams has always been on the top of her game.
Now that she has joined the MI coaching staff, it will be interesting to watch how spinners like Saika Ishaque, Triveni Vasistha, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews and Sanskriti Gupta will bowl under her guidance.
Kerr was good with the ball in 2025 World Cup for New Zealand while playing a containing role. She kept the runs in check in the middle overs and took a few wickets.
It will be interesting to see what qualities each player picks up from Beams and how it improves their performance during the tournament, and after that.
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