Adelaide Strikers coach Jason Gillespie says Jon Wells deserves T20 World Cup spot despite being overlooked for South Africa tour
He may not have scored a plane ticket to South Africa for the upcoming T20 series, but Adelaide Strikers coach Jason Gillespie says that shouldn’t count batsman Jon Wells out of World Cup selection.
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Jason Gillespie believes Jon Wells is an Australian World Cup candidate through weight of runs and consistency as BBL’s master finisher.
Adelaide Strikers batsman Wells was overlooked for selection in Australia’s T20 series against South Africa this month.
However, Wells, 31, is entrenched in BBL’s all-time top-six run scorers while displaying an ability to score under pressure with minimum risk.
Gillespie says Wells – one of three Strikers in the BBL team of the year with Rashid Khan and Peter Siddle – would be a fitting inclusion for a home T20 World Cup in October.
“He has given himself every chance to be picked,” Gillespie told The Advertiser.
“If he does get an opportunity it would be well deserved as he has performed strongly since he has come to the Strikers.
“He has been pretty consistent.
“He certainly has to be in the conversation.”
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Wells finished behind Melbourne Stars gold cap Marcus Stoinis and Sydney Thunder’s Alex Hales on the BBL 2019-20 run aggregate, but topped the competition average with 478 runs at 68.28.
Wells went at the third highest strike rate – 135 – in the top 10 run scorers despite coming in as a middle-order fixer.
Siddle has previously told The Advertiser Wells should command a squad spot in a home World Cup this October.
Gillespie says Wells’ selection for Australia would depend on the roles selectors prioritised. Strikers teammate and keeper batsman Alex Carey is also a finisher.
Linch-pins Aaron Finch, David Warner and Steve Smith comprise Australia’s top three.
“The top three is set,” Gillespie said.
“I think it will come down to the roles, if they want specific players in those positions.
“Do they want an accumulator like Wellsy who can finish with a flourish or do they want someone who can give them an option with the ball or go in and start bombing fours and sixes from the get go?”
Selectors recalled allrounders Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and veteran batsman Matt Wade for the three-match T20 series starting February 21 in Johannesburg.
Ben McDermott and Ashton Turner filled the T20 middle order against Pakistan this summer but were axed after averaging 26.5 for Hobart and 12.78 for Perth respectively this BBL summer.
Strikers speedster Billy Stanlake was also dropped.
Stoinis was named BBL player of the tournament, but remains on the outer.
Wells is unique, excelling in T20 despite not having played a one-day or first-class game for Western Australia in over a year.
“Fair play to him, for a guy who is just playing T20 it is a hell of an effort and (he) deserves all that comes (his way),” Gillespie said.