Brisbane Heat will start WBBL|12 without their most-capped player. Jess Jonassen has been ruled out of the whole season with a hip complaint. The club confirmed the news in their official announcement.
It is the second year in a row injury has cut into her season. She missed four games in WBBL|11 after shoulder surgery, then stepped down as Heat and Queensland Fire captain in March after a winless WBBL|11 campaign.
Jonassen is the Heat’s record holder in every sense. She has played 153 Big Bash games and taken 184 wickets, more than any other player in Big Bash history across the men’s and women’s leagues. She led the Heat to five straight finals series after taking over as captain in 2020.
What it means for the Heat
Her last game was for Queensland Fire against NSW in the WNCL on 1 October. Her focus now is recovery, with a return to training planned for December and a comeback in the next WNCL fixture in 2027.
The timing stings. Heat open their season at home against Sydney Sixers at Allan Border Field on Friday, 30 October, at 6.10pm Queensland time. They have just completed their 15-player squad with 19-year-old quick Catherine White, so youth gets its chance early.
A season without Jonassen will test the Heat’s spin depth like never before.
Why is Jess Jonassen missing WBBL|12?
A hip complaint has ruled her out of the full season. She hopes to return to training in December and play again in the WNCL in 2027.
When do Brisbane Heat start WBBL|12?
On Friday, 30 October 2026, at home against Sydney Sixers at Allan Border Field, starting at 6.10pm Queensland time.
See the BBL 2027 squads and Hurricanes’ own late WBBL signing.
Last verified: 27 October 2026.