The Queensland Fire has received a late season boost with star allrounder Jess Jonassen named to make her return from shoulder surgery this week.
JONASSEN BACK FOR FIRE | Returns For Key WNCL Round
Jonassen, 33, required an operation on her right shoulder towards the end of the Weber Women’s Big Bash League in November and has completed her recovery ahead of schedule.
She has been named in the Fire squad for the two key matches against defending Women’s National Cricket League titleholders NSW in Sydney, starting tomorrow and again on Thursday at Cricket Central.
Both teams are locked on 27 points with the Fire having four games and NSW six games remaining prior to the Final next month.
Jonassen will not take on the captaincy on her return, with Georgia Redmayne to continue as captain and Sianna Ginger remaining as vice-captain.
Jonassen said she had made the call while completing her recovery from surgery.
“Initially I wasn’t sure whether I would be available for the end of the WNCL but with the operation and rehabilitation going so well, the medical team and coaches have helped play a massive part in me returning so quickly’’ she said.
“In consultation with coaches and my wider support team (including my wife Sarah), the decision was made for me to make a return this round in a playing only capacity to allow Georgia and Sianna their leadership space as well as give me the opportunity to prioritise my own performances and return to playing.
“I have every intention of returning to captaincy duties this season however, I will ensure to put both the teams needs and my individual well-being first”.
Queensland coach Mark Sorell praised Jonassen for her ‘team-first’ approach to her comeback.
“Jess raised the prospect of coming back from her injury in a different capacity, enabling Georgia and Sianna to continue in their leadership roles,’’ he said.
“It’s a selfless approach and one that speaks volumes as to her character and her commitment to the team. She has worked incredibly hard to return for the back end of the season and we can’t wait to have her back in the line-up, being the match-winner that she is.”
“We’re pleased she can focus on the roles she does so well for us. It would not have be easy for her to relinquish the captaincy the way she has for these games, but we know she would have made the call with the best interests of her teammates at heart,” Sorell said.
Jonassen is closing in on two significant milestones in her illustrious career.
She has played 96 WNCL games for Queensland since making her debut in 2008-09mand needs three runs to reach 2000 List A or One Day runs for the Fire.
She took her 150th wicket earlier this season.
Jonassen would join former Queensland and Australian legends Julia Price and Melissa Bulow as players to have played 100 or more List A games for Queensland.
Jonassen also played 63 T20 matches for Queensland prior to the advent of the WBBL, where she has now played 156 matches for the Brisbane Heat. She has represented Australia in six Tests, 93 One Day Internationals and 105 T20 Internationals so far in her career.
The Fire lost their last two matches to South Australia, and after the NSW series this week, will have two games against Victoria next month to mount their campaign to make the WNCL Final for the second season in a row.
The WNCL action can be followed online at cricket.com.au and via the CricketLive app.
WNCL: QLD v NSW
Cricket Central, Sydney
Tomorrow & Thursday
Georgia Redmayne (c)
Sianna Ginger (v-c)
Lily Bassingthwaighte
Bonnie Berry
Lucinda Bourke
Nicola Hancock
Laura Harris
Jess Jonassen
Annie O’Neil
Grace Parsons
Ruby Strange
Lauren Winfield-Hill
Mikayla Wrigley