Jonassen guides Heat to thrilling win

Jess Jonassen has steered Brisbane Heat to an exciting final-over victory over the Perth Scorchers in their Rebel WBBL clash at Optus Stadium.

Scorchers captain Meg Lanning’s 70 from 56 deliveries wasn’t enough for the hosts, as Jonassen’s unbeaten 28 (26) saw her team chase down Perth’s 5-136 with four balls remaining and with five wickets in hand.

Sent in to bat first by Heat captain Kirby Short, Elyse Villani gave her team a fast start before falling for 23 (20), but Lanning was able to carry on where she left off.

She brought up a second consecutive half-century from 50 deliveries, clearing the rope twice before being run out on 70 (56) in the 19th over, a dismissal that cost the Scorchers crucial momentum late in their innings, with the next highest scorer outside the opening pair import Amy Jones (14 off 13).

Haidee Birkett was the best of the Heat bowlers with 3-19 from her four overs, while Delissa Kimmince (0-21) and Sammy-Jo Johnson (0-21) were economical.

Grace Harris (27 off 29) and Beth Mooney (35 off 28) both threatened at times but couldn’t kick on with their innings, and when Sammy-Jo Johnson (17 off 14) departed, the equation looked tricky for the Heat.

But Jonassen remained cool and calm, working with debutante Josie Dooley (13 off 13) and Laura Harris (6no off 2) to steer Brisbane home with four balls remaining.

Nicole Bolton’s four-over spell of 2-12 wasn’t enough for the Scorchers, who now have a 4-5 record after nine matches.

They next meet the Thunder at Lilac Hill on December 29, while the Heat meet the Hurricanes in Launceston on December 30.