Jess Jonassen won’t be part of Australia’s squad for the white-ball tour of Bangladesh. Chief selector Shawn Flegler says she may still play in future international games. Tayla Vlaeminck, who has faced injuries, could play her first match for Australia in over two years in the upcoming tour in March. Despite being a consistent member of the squad since her debut in 2012, Jonassen was not given any game time in the recent series against South Africa, as coach Shelley Nitschke chose Alana King, Georgia Wareham, and Sophie Molineux as the preferred spin options.
Ash Gardner, along with the trio of Alana King, Georgia Wareham, and Sophie Molineux, has been chosen for the Bangladesh tour instead of Jess Jonassen. Jonassen was also left out from the ODI leg of West Indies’ tour to Australia last spring.
I think over the last couple of years, particularly over the last 12 months, JJ’s role has not been as strong in the team,” Flegler said.
“That’s probably more to do with players like Ash Gardner having her game develop … and also players like Georgia Wareham with her skill set.
“Alana King’s form as well over the last 12 to 18 months has been really strong.
Heather Graham, an allrounder on the edge of the Australian squad, hasn’t been selected for the Bangladesh tour. Jess Jonassen, currently playing in the Women’s Premier League in India, could be considered if there are injuries in the bowling attack before the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September. There’s a possibility of Australia facing New Zealand in a series before the World Cup, providing opportunities for Jonassen and Graham to be recalled.
We’ve seen over the past few World Cups and Comm Games, we’ve had issues with injuries that come up at the last minute,” Flegler said.
“So if you’re not in the squad right now, you’ve just got to keep fighting and be ready if that opportunity does arise.
Fast bowler Vlaeminck is back in the international set-up after recovering from a dislocated shoulder to play the end of the WNCL season. Her last match for Australia was during the home Ashes in the summer of 2021/22, but she had a stress fracture in her foot, causing her to miss the ODI World Cup, Commonwealth Games in 2022, and last year’s T20 World Cup, all of which Australia won. Vlaeminck was making her comeback with Australia A during last year’s England tour when she injured her shoulder. She got the news of her latest recall in an emotional phone call from Flegler.
I think I lost the ability to speak for a moment there,” Vlaeminck said.
“It’s something I’ve been pushing towards and it’s given me motivation over the last couple of years. For it to actually happen, it felt a little bit surreal, to be honest.
Australia is set to play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals in Bangladesh, starting with the first ODI on March 21. This marks Australia’s first bilateral series in Bangladesh since 2014 when they won the T20 World Cup. The squad includes Alyssa Healy (captain), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, and Tayla Vlaeminck.
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