Australia's Jess Jonassen has been ruled out of the entire Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season with a hip problem, ESPNcricinfo reported. Medical advice was for the Brisbane Heat spinner to sit out the tournament and return in the new year.
"Advice was to have this period of recovery now"
Jonassen said she had tried to play through a shoulder injury last season until it hurt her own performances, the team's and her mental health.
"We considered whether playing through injury was available again, but the advice was to have this period of recovery now, so I can be available of the rest of the season," she said. "The plan is to be back training in December and be ready to play again in our next WNCL fixture."
Queensland's next game in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL), Australia's domestic one-day competition, is on January 4.
A big loss for Heat
Jonassen has played her whole WBBL career for Heat, from 2015-16 to 2025-26. She is the second-most capped player in the league's history, with 184 wickets in 153 games, the most for one team in the Big Bash, men's or women's.
"We're obviously pretty devastated for JJ," Heat coach Mark Sorell said, adding that the team would lean on her experience while she recovers.
Heat are negotiating with an overseas player to replace her and expect to announce the signing before their first match, at home against Sydney Sixers on October 30. They confirmed fast bowler Catherine White as their final squad signing on Monday.
The WPL angle
The January leg of the WNCL will clash with the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India. Jonassen is expected to attract big bids at the WPL auction on October 28.