After medical advice to rest a hip complaint and return to action in the upcoming year, Jess Jonassen will miss the entire WBBL 2026–2027 season. The Brisbane Heat will be without their most seasoned bowler for the duration of the competition after confirming the news prior to their first game.
The Brisbane Heat are currently in talks to add an international player as a backup, and they anticipate completing the signing prior to their opening game on October 30 at home against the Sydney Sixers. When Jess Jonassen explained the choice, she cited her experience from the prior season.
I managed a shoulder injury last year and continued to play until it became too much for me, which affected my mental health as well as the team’s and my own performances. The goal is to resume training in December and be prepared to participate in our upcoming WNCL match, according to Jess Jonassen.
Jess Jonassen last played for Queensland in a WNCL match at the beginning of October. In accordance with the recovery schedule established by her medical team, her next WNCL appearance is set for January 4.
Beyond the WBBL, the injury’s timing has consequences. The WPL auction is set to take place in India on October 28. It was anticipated that Jess Jonassen would draw a sizable bid and a lot of interest.
Instead of managing the injury, why has Jess Jonassen opted to sit out?
The deciding factor was medical advice. Jonassen and the Heat decided that trying to play through the hip issue this time was not a feasible option after she dealt with a shoulder complaint during the previous season. She will not be able to play the rest of the WBBL 2026–2027 season because the advice was for a specific period of rest. Heat head coach Mark Sorell affirmed the team’s stance on the issue.
It’s clear that we’re very sad for JJ. While she heals, we’ll draw on her group experience, and it will be an excellent opportunity for us to collaborate with her on match day preparations,” Sorell stated. Catherine White, a pace bowler who was added prior to the Jonassen news, was also confirmed by the Heat on Monday as their final squad addition.
Jonassen has played for the Heat in every season from 2015–16 to 2025–26, making him the most capped player in WBBL history. She has claimed 184 wickets in those 153 appearances, the most of any player for a single team in the men’s and women’s Big Bash competitions.
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The Heat have a short window of time to confirm an international replacement prior to their opening game on October 30 at home against the Sydney Sixers. As of October 26, 2026, negotiations were still in progress, and the replacement’s identity has not yet been revealed.
Jess Jonassen will resume training in December, and her competitive comeback is scheduled for the WNCL match on January 4. During the WBBL 2026–27 season, the Heat will try to use her expertise and planning advice from the sidelines.
