Brisbane Heat captain Jess Jonassen is on track to be the first player to 200 WBBL wickets, and insists she still has plenty to offer on the international stage.
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The 32-year-old allrounder has been on the outer with Australian selectors in recent years and was not named for the recent World Cup in India, or the 2024 T20 World Cup in the UAE.
Instead of kicking stones, Jonassen upped the ante and was the WBBL's joint player of the tournament last season, claiming the gong alongside Sydney Sixers star Ellyse Perry.
"That was one of the hardest things. I lost my Australia contract the same year I won player of the (WBBL) tournament," Jonassen told AAP.
"I felt like I was still contributing to whatever team I was a part of and their success. In the Australian side there is a lot of talent coming through. Sometimes people have to miss out. Rightly or wrongly, that is just the way it is."
The classy allrounder has 179 WBBL wickets, more than anyone else, and is on track to be the first to 200.
Her average of 19.17 and economy rate of 6.59 runs per over are elite for someone who bowls so many of the latter overs when the heat is on.
The UAE omission was hard to take after being part of the Australia squad for the previous six T20 World Cup tournaments, dating back to 2012.
Jonassen has won four finals and played a key role in the 2012 and 2020 deciders, with three wickets against England and India respectively.
Australia have a plethora of spin options with the likes of Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Georgia Wareham and Ash Gardner. Jonassen, who still has the most wickets for a spinner in Australian T20I history with 96, has the form on the board to know she could contribute at the T20 World Cup in England next year.
"I still believe I can perform at that level, but I am not the one that makes those decisions unfortunately. I am not going to give myself false hope," she said.
"I am here to perform for the teams that want me and I am part of. If it comes, it does, but at the same time I am not holding my breath. I have been fortunate to have a long career there, but I am not retired from international cricket. I am still well and truly available for selection.
"Anything can happen, but at the same time I am not overly hopeful."
The Heat have fallen short at the final hurdle in the past two WBBL finals. Going one step further this season, which opens on Sunday at Allan Border Field where the Heat host the Melbourne Renegades, is first-up on Jonassen's agenda.
"This is nowhere near the last (season) for me," Jonassen said.
"I will keep playing as long as my performances, my mind and body allow me. Hopefully I have a good three or so years left at the minimum.
"A lot can change in a short space of time, but I have still got a lot left to give the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Fire.
"Losing my Australian contract was pretty challenging initially but has opened me up to enjoy the game again.
"I started falling out of love with cricket the last couple of years in a way. To have the flexibility to be settled within the one environment has really helped me mentally."
Australian Associated Press
