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Jonassen shines but rain ruins Aussie T20

Jess Jonassen took four wickets to set Australia on the road to a T20I victory over Pakistan in Ireland - but the rains came to thwart Meg Lanning's side.

JESS JONASSEN of the Heat bowls during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Renegades at Camberwell in Melbourne, Australia
JESS JONASSEN of the Heat bowls during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Renegades at Camberwell in Melbourne, Australia Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Australia's final hit-out before the Commonwealth Games women's cricket programme, along with the near-certainty of another morale-boosting win, has been scuppered by rain.

Meg Lanning's side was cruising to victory against Pakistan in their final T20 international in Ireland on Saturday before the heavens opened - but at least Australia had time to appreciate Jess Jonassen's slow-bowling skills before the abandonment.

For the second time in the T20I tri-series, the weather in Northern Ireland proved the winner, ensuring another match with Pakistan had to be called off at Bready Cricket Ground.

Only four more balls were needed to be bowled to ensure a result - and, frustratingly for Australia, they were in a wholly dominant position.

They were 0-28 off just 4.2 overs after they'd earlier reduced Pakistan to 8-94, with Jonassen taking 4-17 off her four overs.

"I definitely felt like I was back to bowling really good areas and executing the plans I wanted to," Jonassen said.

"To come away with a few wickets at the end of that is obviously really nice, good for the confidence leading into the Comm Games."

Beth Mooney (11no) and Alyssa Healy (12no) were going along nicely when the rains came.

Australia still look overwhelming favourites to lift the tri-nations trophy, with the outcome to be decided by Sunday's final match between hosts Ireland and Pakistan.

Australia are two points clear on top of the table, but Pakistan can draw level on points and need to work wonders to better the Aussies' huge run rate advantage (3.23 to 0.929).

Pakistan chose to bat first but Australia's bowlers never let them off the leash, with captain Bismah Maroof (32no off 39 balls) the only batter to get more than 20.

Left-arm spinner Jonassen, who had bowled tightly, was rewarded with three wickets in her final over while Nicola Carey also impressed with 2-16 off her four overs.

Australia have had no luck with the weather this year, as this was their fifth washout in seven T20s in 2022 and it denied opportunities for Rachael Haynes, Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris to get a knock before the Games.

The team travel to Birmingham on Sunday ahead of their first match of the tournament against India on Friday.

"We were sort of hoping that the first game would be a night game so we'd be able to easily go to the opening ceremony so I think that's up in the air at the moment," Jonassen said.

"The ultimate goal was to make sure we're ready to go and ready to perform our skills come that first game against India."

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