Jess' world on fire

Aaron Kelly | 27th November 2008

Print
larger | smaller

Rising young cricket sensation Jessica Jonassen leaves Rockhampton yesterday bound for Brisbane where she will make her Queensland Fire debut in the Women’s National Cricket League.

CRICKET: After bowling over an accounting exam this week, Rockhampton junior cricket sensation Jessica Jonassen is preparing for an even bigger test in Brisbane this weekend.

Jonassen will make her Queensland Fire debut in the opening round of the Women's National Cricket League against defending champions New South Wales.

At just 16, Jonassen only finished year 11 at Emmaus College this week and will be the youngest player in action at Allan Border Field in 50-over matches tomorrow and on Sunday.

An excited Jonassen was speechless yesterday after receiving the call-up for the state's premier women's cricket side.

“It's very good, I don't know how to explain it. It's awesome,” she said.

Jonassen departed for Brisbane yesterday and joined the Fire's training session last night.

A talented left-handed bat and left-arm orthodox spinner, Jonassen and her Queensland Fire teammates will be on show at the team's official season launch at Allan Border Field this morning.

Jonassen will head into her Women's National Cricket League debut fresh from an unbeaten century for Brothers in the Rockhampton Junior Cricket under-16 competition last weekend.

She blasted 119 not out against Gracemere on Saturday before backing up for a third grade game in the seniors on Sunday.

“It was a good confidence-booster,” Jonassen said.

With school finished for the year, Jonassen said she could now focus solely on cricket - much to her delight.

“Training has been going good - when it hasn't been raining or I haven't been doing exams,” she joked.

“I had my last exam for the year (on Wednesday), it was a big accounting one.”

After earning Australian under-17 and under-19 honours last season, Jonassen's stellar season saw her included in the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars Australian under-23 squad.

Jonassen admitted it would be a daunting debut against NSW, who are gunning for an incredible 11 straight national titles and boast seven current Australian players.

“It'll be quite a thrill,” she said.

“Most of my friends that I play underage cricket with in Brisbane will be there watching, which will be good, and mum (Jayne) and dad (Ray), are also heading down.”

Quick singles

Name: Jessica Jonassen

Age: 16

Bats: Left

Bowls: Left-arm spin

Club: Brothers

What posters did you have in your room as a child: Usually posters out of sporting magazines and mostly cricket ones - Mike Hussey, Matt Hayden, Brian Lara - and they are still there because I am still a kid!

Did you know: Jessica is also a keen golfer who has represented Central Queensland at the State junior titles.