Wellington won’t count on Aussie recall
SHE’S coming off the equalbest figures in WBBL history but Amanda-Jade Wellington isn’t getting caught up in the hype of a potential Australian recall because she doesn’t want to have her heart broken again.
Only two bowlers have taken more wickets in WBBL history than the Strikers spinner, with Wellington ripping through the Renegades to claim the astonishing figures of 5-8 for the second time in her career.
Wellington finished last season with a tournamenthigh 23 wickets, which should have been enough to earn a spot in the Ashes squad.
But she missed out to Scorchers spinner Alana King, who has had a dream 12 months wherever she’s played.
Wellington’s sustained success saw her play in the 50over World Cup earlier this year, but she wants to get back into the all-conquering T20 side that will look to defend its crown at next February’s World Cup in South Africa.
“I haven’t really thought about it too much because I’ve found if I think about it too much, I put in poor performances because it takes my mind away from the game,” Wellington said.
“If I just continue to have fun and play what’s in front of me, then good performances will come, as we just saw against the Renegades.
“There are a few things happening behind closed doors which give me a bit of an inkling, but I don’t want to get my hopes up. I don’t want to invest all my heart into it and then get heartbroken once again.
“It’s the constant disappointment of not feeling good enough to be in that team.
“I know it’s so hard to break into the squad and you have to be a top quality player to get into that team. In a way it’s heartbreaking, but it’s also a good lesson to learn what I need to do to get there.
“I’m taking each day as it comes because I’m trying not to think about it, but it’s quite hard.”
As fate would have it, Wellington and King will clash on Friday when the Strikers take on the Scorchers at Allan Border Field.
Adelaide’s ace knows she’ll have a tough task bowling to Perth’s openers Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine, but she’s also looking forward to the showdown with her rival spinner.
“It’s always a good challenge with Alana,” Wellington said. “A lot of people know that we bowl quite differently. She bowls a style that is perfect for T20, while I bowl a more traditional style. Together, we work so well and we’ve seen that in the past.
“It’s always a good contest but we always look out for each other to see how the other one is doing.”