Nomadic Heat build towards another title tilt

Allrounder Jess Jonassen believes there’s a dose of last season's spirit in the way the Brisbane Heat are currently playing, as they target back-to-back Rebel WBBL titles.

After 10 matches, the Heat have seven wins to their name and sit on top of the ladder, ahead of the Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers, who are both on 12 points apiece but each with a game in hand.

Brisbane have strung together five consecutive wins since their most recent defeat, against the Strikers in Mackay on November 2.

Impressively, they have managed that winning run through a period that has barely seen them touch Queensland soil, as the Heat squad has bounced from Sydney to Melbourne, and back to Sydney.

After winning the reply game against the Strikers in Mackay on November 3, they toppled the Sixers at North Sydney Oval on November 9, before knocking over the Stars at Junction Oval (November 13), followed by their back-to-back matches at Drummoyne Oval last weekend.

Now, Jonassen hopes the reigning champions can continue their momentum as they travel back to Melbourne and then on to Hobart this week before finally returning to Brisbane for a home game at Allan Border Field on Wednesday, November 27.

"Our win against the Stars kick-started this for us," Jonassen said.

"We knew we were on the road for 11 days now so it was about making sure we hit the ground running.

"In T20 cricket, momentum is crucial."

While Beth Mooney has been a force at the top of the order, striking 523 runs at 87.16 from 10 innings, and Jonassen sits atop the league wicket-taking table, the allrounder believes it's Brisbane’s all-round depth that is keeping their campaign on track.

"The Stars victory gave a lot of belief for the group, chasing a large total … and against the Thunder we faltered early with the bat and then we were able to put out a half-decent total to defend.

"We're emulating last year a little bit this year.

"It’s about everyone contributing at any given time and we’re not just having to rely on one or two key players."

Left-arm spinner Jonassen captured eight wickets across the two matches against the Thunder and the Scorchers last weekend, taking 4-13 on Saturday night before backing up on Sunday with 4-23.

It propelled her to the top of the league wicket-taking table, with 16 scalps from 10 matches at an average of 13.31.

Impressively, Jonassen has also been bowling with a miserly economy rate of just 5.75.

While she was dismissed for just 10 in the low-scoring affair against the Thunder on Saturday, Jonassen played a key hand of 32no alongside Beth Mooney in Sunday’s chase as the Heat cruised to an eight-wicket win.

It follows other handy knocks of 42 and 33 and unbeaten innings of 37no and 25no.

Jonassen, who has moved into the top order for the Heat this season, credited new coach Ashley Noffke for improvements made to the batting side of her all-round game.

 "It’s just a matter of sticking to my strengths and making sure I play the way I want to play and not try to play like other people," she said.

"That’s been a real mindset shift, more than anything, and going out there and enjoying what I’m doing."

The Heat now travel to Melbourne, where they will take on the Renegades at Junction Oval on Wednesday at 10am AEDT.