Jess Jonassen has enjoyed a brilliant start to life at Yorkshire fresh off Queensland’s WNCL win
Main image by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com
Evergreen allrounder Jess Jonassen looks in the mood to again put herself on Australian selectors’ radar for the upcoming World Cup after a remarkable new lease of life in the county game in England.
The spinning allrounder, who just keeps impressing wherever she plays – even if it’s a while since was flavour of the month with national selectors – has been nothing short of sensational for Yorkshire in the women’s one-day cup in England, even enjoying unexpected batting milestones at the age of 33.
On Wednesday, the left-hander scored her second century in the space of four days, having never previously reached three figures in her distinguished pro career, and she’s been taking wickets for fun with her spin too, leaving impressed Yorkshire coach Rich Pyrah hailing her as being like “three players in one.”
Jonassen really announced herself to Leeds a fortnight ago when she scored 67 and took 4-18 off seven overs in their victory over the Nottingham-based Blaze, but she surpassed even that tour de force with her maiden ton – 108 off 122 balls – and a match-winning 4-30 in the Roses battle with one-day champs Lancashire at Old Trafford.
“We knew she was a good player when we signed her, but she’s just been outstanding,” observed Pyrah.
On Wednesday, she was at it again in Scarborough, hammering 104 off 109 balls to help Yorkshire grab a tie with Durham, which would have been another win if Jonassen’s teammate Rachel Slater hadn’t been run out by Australian wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson as she tried to scramble the winning run.
Skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill – and also a Queensland Fire teammate – had welcomed Jonassen to the “Yorkshire family” by telling her that her world-class skill set, fieriness and competitiveness was exactly what they needed, and so far she’s exhibited those traits to the full.
The Brisbane Heat star, who hasn’t played for Australia in any format since a Test against India in December 2023, still plays with a fire that suggests she has a point to prove.
Last November, she told AAP: “I am not retired from international cricket. I am still well and truly available for selection.”
With the T20 World Cup set for England in June and July, she’ll be hoping her latest performances won’t have gone unnoticed.
