Jess Jonassen has emerged as the cool, last-ball hero for the Delhi Capitals, guiding them into the Women's Premier League play-offs just when it appeared she might have blown their glorious opportunity.
The Australian spinning allrounder, who has enjoyed a terrific tournament in India, was called on by captain Meg Lanning to bowl the final over in front of Delhi's fans on Sunday (Monday AEDT), with Royal Challengers Bangalore needing a huge 17-run over to emerge victorious.
But after Jonassen had been clouted for two big sixes by Richa Ghosh, the equation came down to two to win off the final delivery, with the dangerous Indian big-hitter still at the crease on 51.
Jonassen, though, held her nerve superbly in the Arun Jaitley Stadium, spearing the ball in at the stumps, allowing Ghosh only to club it straight to backward point.
Shafali Verma picked up, threw to the bowler's end and Jonassen whipped off the bails to beat Ghosh's despairing dive into the crease and seal a one-run win.
"I tried to hit her toes (with the last delivery) and it came off, which is nice," smiled 31-year-old Queenslander Jonassen.
"I made it really hard for us in the end. I thought I would be good if I did not get hit for a six first ball, but that is what happened."
She was grateful for captain Lanning's cool head amid the madness of the denouement.
"Meg just keeps everyone calm,'' Jonassen said.
"She knows the right things to say and when to say it.
"All the experienced heads out there, we have played enough cricket and knew that every ball matters.''
Lanning, who added another innings of 29 as opener to increase her lead in the orange cap race as the tournament's top run-scorer, swore she wasn't as cool as she looked.
"Too stressful," smiled Australia's former all-conquering skipper. "I look calmer than I am on the inside - and that is important."
Jemimah Rodrigues, with a 36-ball 58, had been Delhi's star with the bat as they piled up 5-181 off their 20 overs.
RCB great Ellyse Perry, with a 32-ball 49, threatened to take the game away from the hosts, until she was run out in a mix-up with her Australian teammate Sophie Molineux (33 off 30).
Delhi and champions Mumbai Indians, who met in last year's inaugural final, have already booked their places in the play-offs, with the final in New Delhi next Sunday.
