Jemimah anchored the Heat\u2019s innings with a stylish 61 runs off 40 balls at the Gabba, hitting seven fours and a six, helping them reach 175\/6, which is now the highest WBBL score at this venue. The performance earned her the Player of the Match award, as the Heat ended their three-game losing streak at their home ground and moved up to third place in the standings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah\u2019s start to the 2024 WBBL was far from ideal, as she only managed scores of 45, 13, and 5. But a text message from the Harris sisters gave her the boost she needed. \u201cBoth of them texted me and said, \u2018Jemi, you know, your over extra-cover drive is the best. Don\u2019t stop yourself from playing that. Even if you get out, it\u2019s fine. But just keep dominating\u2019,\u201d the Indian star added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo, I think that really helped me in today\u2019s knock - just to have that kind of backing firstly from your team, and that the team still believes in you. At the same time, just they are like, no, we are still going to take the positive route, and play positive cricket and bat with intent,\u201d said Jemimah in a select virtual interaction after the match ended.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She also noted the WBBL has taught her a lot about the Australian mindset of going all out with the bat. \u201cThere is a saying always that, if there are two options, always take the positive one. So, I think that is something I have also been really working on in my game,\u201d she said. \u201cJust to have people around you after two failures, sometimes, I had those doubts - should I still play with this mindset? Should I not? They were like, just go all out, and that really helped me. This is something that I will take with me 100%. Hopefully, bring it out with the Aussies, and just continue to do well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah\u2019s maiden fifty for the Heat was marked by absolute clarity of getting her runs from every single area of the ground, via moving at the crease and producing wonderful shots, with the uppercut off Tahlia McGrath and staying really low to get a scoop off Orla Prendergast being the standout moments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Jemimah, batting with clarity is a combination of reading the pitch, recognising the team\u2019s needs, and having the confidence and self-backing to contribute positively to the team\u2019s success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEvery pitch plays differently. Every bowler bowls differently. So, firstly, that bowler bowling on that particular pitch, what\u2019s going to happen? So, it\u2019s assessing the conditions and which shots are on for me,\u201d she said. \u201cI try to keep it as simple as possible. I know I say a lot of things, and I move too, but I have three options. I know it\u2019s a lot to think about. But in my head, I am very sorted. Once I move, if the bowler bowls down the leg, I know the gap is here.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf the bowler bowls straight on the path, I know I can go straight. If the bowler bowls outside-off, I know I can take them on, over cover. So, it is something I have been working on having an all-round game. Just having that backing is really helping me,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She further explained the impact of having the opportunities to perform well in various leagues has had on her ability to contribute by adapting her batting styles, especially when she\u2019s back in the national set-up. \u201cAs a player, just playing matches and as a batter, scoring runs wherever you play gives you a lot of confidence. Whether it\u2019s WBBL or even if I go play a practice match with the under-12 boys, runs are runs for a batter.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo, 100%, just going out there, scoring in leagues, playing in challenging and different conditions for different teams, against different bowling attacks, and having various plans - there is so much going on and it\u2019s just so nice that I have the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am very grateful to Brisbane Heat for picking me up and that I get to play, because the more I play such tournaments and matches, the more I learn more about my game, and get more strategies.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEvery time you play, there is a new strategy coming up with the bowlers. So, it just keeps me also ticking when I think about the game or how I need to improve the game going forward. I know the plans of the bowlers when they come to me so I can prepare accordingly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAt the same time, when it comes to the Indian team, I am ready to bat anywhere even if it\u2019s number eleven. It is all about what combination works and in the end, I just want the Indian team to win. I am saying that I have batted at most of the numbers and I know pretty much with my game that I can score at any order. So, for me, the number doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn fact, batting at number five today helped. For India, it helped me today when I was in the last five overs because I was just telling myself, \u2018Okay Jemi, it\u2019s like you just walked in right now at No.5, how would you play for India?\u2019 That\u2019s what I used in the last five slog-overs that we had. So, it works both ways - it helps me here and once I go back to India, it will also help me,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah\u2019s involvement with the Heat has resulted in a reunion with her senior India teammate Shikha Pandey and Australian left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen. The trio\u2019s shared experience includes playing together for Delhi Capitals in the Women\u2019s Premier League (WPL) in India and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women\u2019s Caribbean Premier League. Jemimah ended by highlighting the mutual understanding the trio now possesses in terms of their cricketing positions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt just feels nice. Like, it\u2019s a family away from home - the trio going everywhere and playing. It\u2019s so nice that wherever we go, we\u2019ve played so much cricket together. So, we understand each other\u2019s roles and combinations. In the end, that\u2019s what\u2019s required when you are playing so much cricket.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah\u2019s involvement with the Heat has resulted in a reunion with her senior India teammate Shikha Pandey and Australian left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen. The trio\u2019s shared experience includes playing together for Delhi Capitals in the Women\u2019s Premier League (WPL) in India and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women\u2019s Caribbean Premier League. Jemimah ended by highlighting the mutual understanding the trio now possesses in terms of their cricketing positions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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