Jon Wells: "I would rather not have had those experiences but you learn from it"

SAM DALLING: The 32-year-old has suffered constant setbacks during his career but has found refuge at Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, which he is looking to take by storm again

You would be forgiven for not having heard much about Jon Wells.

He was the fourth-highest run-scorer in last year’s Big Bash, with just the 478 runs at 68.28 in the notoriously difficult middle-order, earning him a spot in the team of the tournament at BBL09. Furthermore, there are just three others with more appearances in the competition.

Yet he remains anything but a household name.

"It is just something that has developed over the years," he tells The Cricketer of his middle-order prowess. "Just from playing that role I really embraced it. I thought ‘if that is my position in the team I want to get really good at it and be the one that can finish the innings’. 

"It is a bit of a niche, and you learn from playing that role over and over again - I have played every edition of the Big Bash since it started and that means you are exposed to all the different scenarios. My job is to finish the game or the innings. If I am doing that well, I am not out at the end and doing enough to get us over the line."

Those numbers are no-one off. Wells hit 359 runs for BBL08 and heading into his fourth season in at Adelaide Strikers he averages 42.24. 

Barring disaster, he will pass four figures for the team this summer, with his current tally standing at 974 runs. Odds are that he will reach the milestone: his last A Grade knock was 163. 

Twenty-seven of his 38 innings for Strikers have come batting at five. Occasionally he moves up as temporary cover for Alex Carey or Travis Head, but he is most often found further down.

Early editions of the Big Bash saw him open for Hobart Hurricanes but he’s remained outside of the top three since switching allegiances.   

“In T20 cricket, I think everyone will tell you that they want to bat at the top,” he says when asked if he is eager to be promoted. “You want to face as many balls as you can and score as many runs as you can for the team. Growing up, I was more batting at the top and when I play club cricket I open.

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“I would like to go up but I am not 100% sure where they see me starting. I have not had those discussions with the coach or captain. We will have a look after the practice games and see what they think is best for the team. I am more than happy to slide up as far as I can though. But equally, I am happy to stay at five if that is what they think is best for the team.”

Wells’ ride to Big Bash success has not been easy.  

A lesser character might have quit: plenty of opportunities presented themselves but perseverance has paid off.

Tasmania is his childhood home, and he made his first-class bow for the state 12 years ago. But he never quite established himself through weight of runs and lost his contract. He won it back. And then it was gone again. 

This time he relocated to Western Australia and earned a deal there, remaining on Hobart Hurricanes’ Big Bash roster while building a life in Perth. 

Now the state contract is gone again but he is staying put, his young family is settled and recently moved to a new house.  

“I would rather not have had those experiences but you definitely learn from it,” he admits “It makes you a stronger person at the end of the day. I have been in and out a lot of my career – more so in Shield cricket and one-day cricket. I always felt like I was in and out and never had a cemented position. Big Bash cricket has been great for me. It has been a format for me to go out and express myself and I have had that consistency.”

For a couple of years returning to represent Hurricanes’ was a glove that fitted perfectly. The holidays would come, and he could head home to be around friends and family.  

Then Strikers showed an interest. 

“I grew up in Hobart - all my family is there - so to leave that, having already left Tasmania and gone to WA, was really difficult. The Big Bash was a great chance to get back and see family over that period. But when the opportunity came up it was one that I felt like I had to make for my career and for my cricket.”

^{Jon Wells has been given more responsibility since leaving Hobart Hurricanes}

Ultimately, it was the courtship of Jason Gillespie and his team that swayed the decision.

“I got the backing from the Strikers to come over and play more of a role and take some more responsibility. Since I have been there, I have had that position cemented down. The coaching staff and support staff have allowed me to go out without having to question my spot in the team all the time. I still need to make runs obviously, but I can just go out, play and perform. That has been a big part of it. I am really glad I did make that move. They have welcomed me in and made me feel like a big part of the team.”

Such has been Wells’ success that talk of an international cap has grown in volume.

“It is always nice to hear that sort of stuff – nicer to hear that that bad stuff! You don’t read into it too much. Like every young kid growing up you have that dream of playing for your country. I would love to play for Australia. That is definitely still there but I understand that all I can do is go out and try to perform for the Strikers. Whatever happens, happens – I can't control anything else. But the dream is still there and is something I would love to do. The best way to make that a reality is to perform at Big Bash level.” 

But whether Justin Langer’s Green and Gold Army come calling, Wells emphatically wants to hop on the global T20 circuit.

“One hundred per cent,” he reveals “I am really keen to get a chance to play in one of the other leagues. I had a couple of opportunities that didn’t eventuate due to COVID. I was going to be coming over to the UK to play but that feel through which was disappointing for me after wanting to do that for so long.

“And there was also a chance to go to the Caribbean but there were travel restrictions getting out of Australia. The last six months could have been a lot different for me but it has affected a lot of people in a lot worse ways. If the chance to come across to the UK again comes up again though I will take it.”

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