Australia, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, are not taking any game lightly. As such, the team is reaping the fruits of labour while preparing for the next edition of the tournament.
Jess Jonassen, Australia spinner, believes every game leading to the 2020 event is vital. She is confident that whoever gets the opportunity in the three-match T20I series against West Indies will certainly do the job well.
“We have played a lot of cricket recently. Coming into T20 format on the back of some good performances in the 50-over format, everybody is looking to get out there in and among the hustle and bustle of the T20 cricket. Every game leading to that (World T20) is vital. Anybody getting opportunity not only in this series but also Sri Lanka series coming up will do the job really well,” Jonassen said ahead of the series in Barbados.
After clean sweeping the three ODIs against the Caribbean side in Antigua, the 26-year-old pointed out that the venue, Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, holds a special place for some of her teammates as Australia had lifted the 2010 T20 World Cup trophy at the stadium after defeating New Zealand in the final.
“Antigua was really good to us. We as a side played really well and have some fun memories there,” Jonassen said referring to last year’s mega event. “Here in Barbados a couple of girls have some great memories from the 2010 World Cup.”
Talking about the pitches, the spinner said Australia as a team just needs to adjust slightly according to the conditions as they had faced slow wickets in the UK during the Ashes.
“Pitches are on a slower side a little bit. It is pretty dry over here, very hot. We just have to adjust slightly. Then we had slow wickets over in the UK as well. My plans have not changed much. It has been nice to get amongst the wickets in the last few games.”
Jonassen further said with given depth in the squad there is competition for spots. Meg Lanning had missed the second ODI due to back spasms which paved way for Erin Burns to play in her maiden international game.
“I think there is always some tough calls in the moment which is something very pleasing, really exciting for our squad. We have got that depth. With some big tournaments coming up (T20 World Cup), it is nice to know that you have that depth and there is competition for spots.”
Jonassen heaped praises on the Player of the Series, Ellyse Perry, saying the all-rounder gives her all while she is out on the field.
"She’s pretty phenomenal, she’s been a world-class player with bat and ball. She puts a high price on her wicket and that shows with the amount of not outs she’s had. She enjoys batting and the other day she told she slept with the bat so she has a pretty good relationship with the bat.”
The three-match T20I series between Australia and the West Indies will be played under lights. Jonassen highlights that being a professional cricketer, one must be able to perform under any given situation.
“Sometimes it is good to be out of the heat, particularly, in countries like the West Indies even in India. It adds a different element to it. That’s what professional cricket is all about to perform your skills under any conditions.”
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