In the Challenger of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024, Brisbane Heat captain Jess Jonassen showcased a match-winning all-around performance to lead her team to the tournament’s final. Facing the Sydney Thunder, Jonassen’s outstanding fielding moment, which included a spectacular catch to dismiss opposition captain Phoebe Litchfield, became one of the defining moments of the match.
Jess Jonassen’s stunning catch
The pivotal moment came in the 11th over of the Sydney Thunders’ innings, when Brisbane Heat right-arm leg-spinner Grace Parsons bowled to the left-handed Litchfield, who attempted to clear the mid-wicket boundary. However, the ball sailed directly towards Jonassen, who was stationed at mid-wicket. In a display of athleticism and timing, Jonassen leaped and stretched her body to perfection, taking an extraordinary catch to dismiss Litchfield for 15 runs, including two boundaries.
Here is the video:
That’s some catch!#WBBL10 pic.twitter.com/EfeqLaiv2A
— Weber Women’s Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 29, 2024
Jonassen was not just exceptional in the field but also played a key role with the ball. The Brisbane Heat captain bowled a disciplined spell, taking 2 wickets in her 4-over performance. Her ability to maintain control and take vital wickets contributed immensely to the Heat’s dominance throughout the match.
While Jonassen’s catch was a highlight, Parsons’ performance with the ball was equally commendable. She dismissed Litchfield and two more crucial wickets, finishing with remarkable figures of 3 wickets for just 10 runs in her 3 overs. Her clinical bowling was instrumental in restricting Sydney Thunder to a modest total and eventually earning her the Player of the Match award.
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Brisbane Heat secures a spot in the WBBL 2024 final
Asked to bat first, Sydney Thunder struggled to build partnerships and were restricted to just 133 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. No Thunder batter could manage to score a half-century, with the team relying mainly on small contributions across the board.
In reply, Brisbane Heat made short work of the target. They chased down the required 134 runs with for the loss of just one wicket in 15.2 overs and won the match by 9 wickets. Wicketkeeper-batter Georgia Redmayne played a pivotal role in the chase, scoring a composed 50 runs from 41 balls. Redmayne’s knock included 8 boundaries and ensured that Heat reached the target comfortably. With this comprehensive victory, Brisbane Heat have secured their place in the WBBL 2024 final, where they will face Melbourne Renegades on Sunday, December 1, at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.