Jon Wells produced a match defining innings in the Adelaide Strikers nailbiting victory over the Melbourne Stars
Another unbeaten knock to start BBL09 has raised the question, is Jon Wells the most underrated batsman in the Big Bash? The Strikers middle order gun says he is happy to continue to fly under the radar.
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Is Jon Wells the most underrated batsman in the Big Bash?
After yet another unbeaten knock to start the season the plaudits are coming in thick and fast while calls are intensifying for a potential Australian T20 call up.
But the Strikers middle order batsman says he is happy to continue to fly under the radar.
The 31-year-old was named the player of the match in the Strikers thrilling win over the Melbourne Stars on the Gold Coast for his unbeaten 68 off 48 balls.
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Before the match Wells told The Advertiser of the ever changing nature of his role in the Strikers middle order, saying that he could either come in at the start of the innings or with just a few balls to face - so unpredictable his role can be.
Against the Stars, Wells came in just after the five over mark and was able to remain not out with Rashid Khan (6) at the end of Adelaide innings with the Strikers 4/174.
In a masterful display of middle order batting Wells was able to steady the ship with Alex Carey (45) before putting the hammer down towards the end - plundering 15 runs from Nathan Coulter-Nile’s final over of the Strikers’ innings.
His 68 not out adds to scores of 18 not out, 55 not out, 69 and 30 to make up his last five digs for the Strikers - who are now unbeaten to start BBL09.
He now has 140 runs in BBL09, the third highest total behind Strikers teammates Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey, without being dismissed.
After that knock against the Stars, cricket fans took to social media to declare Wells as one of the most underrated players in the BBL.
He said it was a tag he was happy to wear.
“I’m happy to fly under the radar and go about my business,” he said.
“I’m not as powerful as other batters in the league so I go about it in a different way.”
Wells’ fine start to BBL09 has also prompted calls for him to be considered for Australian T20 selection, but he said he was not thinking of that at all.
“I’ve not even considered it... (I’m) just focusing on that middle role with the Strikers and getting us home if we are chasing,” he said.
“So far this tournament we have been setting, so just to try and read the situation and make sure we have totals we can defend.”
It would be a world away from Wells’ preparations for BBL09, which consisted of club cricket, extra net sessions and a secondary focus on his job with bat manufacturer Icon after he found himself without a state contract.
“Not being in a state set-up meant a few question marks get put over how you’ll come in and what form you’ll be in,” he said.
“I just did as much training by myself to make sure I was ready to go, but when you’re working and playing club cricket that’s hard.”
It was again another tight finish for the Strikers, after dropped catches allowed the Stars to have victory within sight in the final over.
Wells was one of those who spilt chances, dropping Stars captain Glenn Maxwell (43) on the boundary on just five and said he was relieved that Strikers bowlers such as Peter Siddle (3/24) were able to deliver at the death to ensure his spill was not costly.
The Strikers will now travel to Melbourne to take on the struggling reigning BBL champions the Renegades at Marvel Stadium on Sunday night.
They have made one change to their 13-man squad for the game.
Leg-spinner Liam O’Connor comes into the squad for quick Harry Conway with the final 11 to be announced at the pre-game bat flip.
Strikers squad -
Alex Carey (c)
Wes Agar
Rashid Khan
Harry Nielsen
Liam O’Connor
Phil Salt
Matt Short
Peter Siddle
Billy Stanlake
Cameron Valente
Jake Weatherald
Jon Wells
Cameron White