Big names in a spin as chief defends Ashes selection
AUSTRALIAN selection chief Shawn Flegler couldn’t lock superstar all-rounder Ellyse Perry into Australia’s best T20 team as he defended a decision to overlook the WBBL’s leading wickettaker for this month’s Ashes showdown with England Spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington, who took 22 wickets for the Adelaide Strikers, was relegated to the Australia A team, with uncapped Alana King preferred in the 15-player squad for the multi-format series of three T20s, one Test, and three ODIs.
Wellington responded to the news via social media, declaring “no matter what happens in your life, always face it with a smile”.
Despite her having played all three forms for Australia, Flegler said Wellington, who played the last of her 21 games for Australia in 2018, didn’t suit the role needed of the squad’s leg-spinner.
“We talked about this particular role for quite a period of time … the role we want our leg-spinner to play in the different formats and we felt Alana probably plays that role a little bit better than we think Amanda would,” he said. “They are slightly different bowlers.”
Players will go in to a tight Covid bubble but Flegler conceded players including Wellington could be called up should anyone be forced in to isolation.
Bowlers Jess Jonassen and Megan Schutt return to the squad after missing last year’s series against India. Perry looms as a key part of the squad but Flegler refused to lock her in to the T20 team.
“We’ve been really clear with the type of cricket we need to play and what our batters need to be doing in T20 cricket,” he said. “If Ellyse does get the opportunity I am sure she’ll do well … but we always want our players to develop and evolve and Ellyse is no different to any other player in our squad.”