Jess Jonassen. (Photo Source: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Star spinner Jess Jonassen failed to get into Australia’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. She was omitted from the squad during Australia’s visit to Bangladesh earlier in the year and that indicated the direction they will go for the major tournament. Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux, Alana King and Ash Gardner were picked ahead of her but captain Alyssa Healy confirmed that it is not the end of the road for the 31-year-old.
The selectors preferred picking two leg-spinners for the marquee series, which forced Jonassen to miss out. On top of that, the team management has extreme faith in Molineux, which also played a part in her not getting into the squad. Notably, the Emerald-born cricketer picked up 11 wickets in the Women’s Premier League earlier in the year and has done well for Welsh Fire in the Women’s Hundred.
Meanwhile, Healy stated that she is in the scheme of things and opened up on her competition with Molineux. The 34-year-old stated to be disappointed for Jonassen as she has played a lot of cricket with her and added that the cricketer will be available for selection in the upcoming Australian summer.
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“Hundred per cent, the path’s still there, the door is still wide open. You look at her career and how it’s progressed, particularly over the past five or six years, she’s been in the squad, out of the squad, her and Sophie Molineux have sort of (gone) tit-for-tat along the way,” Healy was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“I’m disappointed for Jono myself. I have played a lot of cricket with her over the years and know exactly what she can contribute to the Australian team in big tournaments and how clutch she can be. I still see a big future for her in the Aussie side, there’s always a niggle or whatnot around (during) the summer, and she’ll still be around this summer no doubt,” she added.