Jonassen loving life in Caribbean

Star spinner Jess Jonassen is relishing life back with the Australian team as they enter the final stages of their preparations for the World T20 in the Caribbean.

The left-arm finger spinner suffered a knee injury during a pre-season camp in September and after going under the knife, was forced to watch from the sidelines through the past six weeks as Australia first claimed a 3-0 T20 series win against New Zealand on home soil before advancing winless through the first five matches of their limited-overs tour of Malaysia against Pakistan.

The Queenslander returned for the final T20 of that tour, making her international comeback slightly ahead of schedule, and is now poised to play a major role in Australia's attempt to win back the World T20 crown they surrendered to West Indies in 2016.

"It's been great, I've really enjoyed it so far," Jonassen said on Saturday after Australia's warm-up match against England in Antigua was washed out. 

"Meeting up with the girls in Malaysia first and then coming over here. 

"It was really tough for me during the New Zealand series to watch from home but the girls did a really good job and it's really nice to be back around them again."

Jonassen, who will celebrate her 26th birthday on Monday, said her knee was tracking well since her reunion with her Australian teammates and her focus is now on making sure she's in top form come the tournament opener against Pakistan in Guyana on November 9.

"It's going all right, some days are better than others," she said. "There's still rehab ongoing throughout this campaign but I always said along the whole way that as long as the physios are happy, then I'm doing a pretty good job.

"So for me it's a matter of playing more games and getting out there and getting more confident in it.

"(The game in Malaysia) didn't feel too bad for me, it was my first game of the summer essentially.

"There were a few nerves there which I guess is expected and it was just nice to be out there running around on the park."

Australia's young spin brigade – featuring left-armer Sophie Molineux, off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner and leg-spinner Georgia Wareham – stepped up admirably in Jonassen's absence against both New Zealand and Pakistan, securing two series sweeps.

But with the experienced Queenslander and Meg Lanning both fit, selectors face an agonising decision about the make-up of their bowling attack.

"They were all fantastic," Jonassen said. "Sophie really stood up and took the role on.

"I jokingly sent her a message when we were away (saying) she's making it hard for me to come back in. 

"But I think that's a really healthy thing though, looking at where we're at with our side at the moment and the calibre of players that will potentially have to miss out, it shows how strong we are and the versatility in our team. 

"It's a really exciting time to be part of this team."

Australia will travel to the South American nation of Guyana on Sunday, where they'll play a warm-up against South Africa ahead of their tournament opener against Pakistan at Providence Stadium.

The venue has a reputation as one of the lowest and slowest in the Caribbean and Jonassen is eager to see how it can benefit the Australian spinners.

"It's going to be very interesting," she said. "It's going to be pretty different but I'm sure the girls will be able to adapt and we'll enjoy our time there for sure."

Australia's warm-up against South Africa will kick off at 4pm Tuesday local time (Wednesday 7am AEDT).

Once the tournament proper gets underway, Fox Sports will broadcast every match of the Women's World T20, while the Nine Network will televise Australia's matches.

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground