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Jess Jonassen signs for Welsh Fire

19 November 2019

The eight women's teams in The Hundred have today each announced a new marquee signing.

Australia's Jess Jonassen links up with compatriots Matthew Mott and Meg Lanning at Welsh Fire.

Jonassen, 27, becomes the fourth signing for Welsh Fire, who are led by Australia Women's Head Coach Matthew Mott.

Joining Jonassen will be her captain at international level, Meg Lanning, as well as the young English pair of Katie George and Bryony Smith.

Jonassen - who is ranked No.1 on the ICC's list of ODI bowlers - said: “The Hundred is going to be a great competition and it’s going to be an exciting opportunity for the women’s game specifically.

"I’ve enjoyed being a part of the WBBL and watching that grow demonstrates that there’s real appetite for domestic women’s cricket, and I’m sure that will be the same in the UK.

“It will be good to link up with Matt Mott and Meg Lanning, obviously we all work together at international level, but I’m also really excited about playing alongside and getting to know some new faces, like Katie George and Bryony Smith.

"I’m looking forward to being a part of Welsh Fire and hopefully helping take the team forward.”

Jonassen was one of eight signings confirmed today, with each team announcing another marquee player.

Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor become the first West Indian players to join the women's competition - signing for London Spirit and Southern Brave respectively.

Rachael Haynes is set for Oval Invincibles and Elyse Villani heads to the Trent Rockets.

Birmingham Phoenix will be home for Wolverhampton local Georgia Elwiss, and Alice Davidson-Richards is to become part of Dani Hazell's Northern Superchargers squad.

South Africa's Mignon du Preez will join Manchester Originals.

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor said: "I can't wait to join Southern Brave. The other three players we've already announced are very strong and it's going to be such a great competition. I'm really looking forward to working under Charlotte Edwards again.

"There's also a strong Caribbean vibe in the men's team at Southern Brave - with Andre Russell, Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan - so it will be nice to play alongside them and hopefully both teams can have success."

Manchester Originals signing Mignon du Preez added: "There are some highly talented teams beginning to take shape and the standard is going to be very high. I've played in the Kia Super League and I've always enjoyed it so it's really nice to come back and take part in top-quality domestic competitions. 

"It's going to be something a bit different but it's obviously all about trying to take cricket to as many people as possible and as players that's something we want to support. I look forward to coming back to the UK next summer and being a part of Manchester Originals.

The signings - a mixture of international and England talent - means the eight teams have now announced four of their 15-strong squads. Team Head Coaches have until May 31 to finalise their line-ups.

The five-week competition will be played at the height of summer, starting July 2020, featuring eight new city-based teams; Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Trent Rockets, Birmingham Phoenix, Welsh Fire, Southern Brave, London Spirit & Oval Invincibles.

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