The packed crowd at Edgbaston witnessed something truly special in Match 24 of the ongoing 5th edition of The Hundred Women’s competition, as Australian veteran Jess Jonassen rolled back the years with an all-round performance of the highest quality.
Representing Welsh Fire, under the leadership of Tammy Beaumont, the 32-year-old all-rounder treated fans to an astonishing display of clean hitting against Birmingham Phoenix skipper Ellyse Perry’s side.
The moment of magic came in the penultimate set of the first innings, when Jonassen, known more for her accuracy with the ball and calm presence, unleashed a brutal assault on young leg-spinner Hannah Baker. What followed was a passage of play that will be remembered as one of the highlights of this edition: four consecutive sixes in four deliveries.
Baker floated one on leg-stump, tempting Jonassen. The left-hander cleared her front leg and launched it high towards deep mid-wicket. Fielder Marie Kelly attempted a juggling take near the ropes but couldn’t hold on; the ball sailed over. The crowd erupted on the 92nd ball of the innings.
A repeat dose, this time outside off. Jonassen struck powerfully down the ground towards long-off. Ailsa Lister caught it, but in her attempt to put it back in, couldn’t cleanly control it. After a long TV umpire check, it was ruled six again. Fortune favours the brave.
The next in complete control, Jonassen capitalised on another slot delivery. Dropping down on one knee, she smoked a sweep shot over the ropes over square leg. Three in a row, and Baker suddenly looked under siege.
The roar of the Fire fans only grew as Jonassen went again. Baker altered her angle, but Jonassen stayed unfazed, rocking back to deposit the ball into the cow corner for her fourth straight maximum. Pure carnage.
The set ended with Jess Jonassen 43* (15 balls), breathing fire into Welsh Fire’s innings and changing the complexion of the match.
If her batting was explosive, her bowling was equally decisive. Jonassen turned the screws on Phoenix in the second innings by delivering a miserly spell of 20 balls, 12 dots, 24 runs, and 3 key wickets, a masterclass in pressure bowling. Her dual contribution ensured that Phoenix fell short, as Welsh Fire celebrated their first victory of the season with a commanding 36-run win.
For her match-defining efforts, Jonassen was rightly named Player of the Match. Beyond the numbers, what stood out was her sheer clarity in approach; she picked her moments to attack with the bat and bowled with precision and calmness when it mattered.
Led by Tammy Beaumont, Welsh Fire have struggled to get early momentum in this edition, but this victory, powered by Jonassen’s brilliance, could well help them end their campaign in the 5th edition on a high. Against an experienced Birmingham Phoenix outfit captained by Ellyse Perry, this win also reaffirmed the value of blending youth with seasoned campaigners like Jonassen, who continue to deliver under pressure.
