Run of outs to end for bowler
FOR Jess Jonassen, a win at this World Cup would be extra special.
At just 24, she’s already had to overcome her share of disappointments.
In 2013, just weeks out from Australia heading to India for the last 50-over World Cup, she had to make the tough decision to have surgery on torn cartilage in her knee.
Unable to run at pace, she had no choice, but it meant she watched on as her teammates lifted the trophy.
She has since worked her way back to be a mainstay of the team, but it wasn’t as easy as just being available again.
“After my first one (surgery), I missed out on the last 50-over World Cup, so for me that was something that was pretty hard to take,” Jonassen said. “I was still quite young at the time as well that, I guess, I hadn’t really cemented a spot or established a spot in the side.
“That first tour (Ashes in England) back after that I kind of felt a little bit lost and didn’t really know where I fitted in.”
Jonassen is not one to take no for an answer.
Growing up in Rockhampton, she’d been singled out by her high school principal before starting there and told she – the only girl – couldn’t play in the boys’ team.
That meant a year of only turning out for her club on the weekends.
But giving up was never a consideration – either then, or when it came to getting back in the Australian team.
And once recovered from that surgery (she had another last year), she had a new lease on life.
“After having some honest conversations with the coaches and selectors at the time, it kind of helped me a lot moving forward into the next ones,” Jonassen said.
“Once I finally got my body right and I was fit again, then that stuff kind of went off on to the backburner.
“It was really nice and mentally refreshing not to have to think about constantly playing in pain.”
Australia face India in tonight’s semi-final in Derby, with a spot in Sunday’s final at Lord’s up for grabs.
The teams met just a week ago, with the Aussies coming away with an eight-wicket win.
Do the same again and Jonassen – a spinner who often opens the bowling with one of the team’s seamers – could finally get that win she so desperately craved.