All-round ability gives Wellington an edge

Young Australia leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington has the potential to become a key allrounder batting as high as No.6 in international cricket, head coach Matthew Mott believes.

Wellington, 20, scored her maiden Women’s National Cricket League century for South Australia last weekend, posting 116 from 125 balls against Western Australia.

It was her most significant knock with the bat to date at state or international level, but it may not have come as much of a surprise to those who’ve encountered Wellington playing for local club Port Adelaide, where she has a something of a reputation for going after the bowlers, often with her favoured sweep shot.

It also didn’t come as a surprise to Mott, who can see plenty of potential in Wellington the batter.

“We always believes she had a lot of batting talent, but the fact South Austraila batted her at number five the other day was fantastic and she repaid the faith and got a great hundred,” Mott told cricket.com.au.

“I speak to (South Australia coach) Andrea McCauley regularly and she’s always believed Amanda has got a lot of potential and she’s a number six for Australia in the making.

“Sometimes because a player is so skilled in one part of the game, they tend to bat in a spot but South Australia have seen something and we have as well.

“She hits the ball to different areas and she’s very game aware, she knows where she wants to hit it and does it with a minimum of fuss.

“She doesn’t always have the purest technique but she finds ways to score so in that way she’s a really dangerous player.”

Wellington has six ODIs and three T20Is under her belt, batting six times for a high score of 11.

The leg-spinner played just one match during the World Cup in England earlier this year, but her potential with the bat could be the edge she needs to find her way back into the XI for the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes.

“It was a huge statement for the allrounders and the people in the lower order, if you make big scores like that you’ll stand out and get rewarded,” Mott said.

“I’m glad she didn’t get a cheeky 60 or 70, which would have made a bit of a statement, she actually went on and nearly made a match-winning contribution.”

While Wellington is showing her potential to become a future allrounder for Australia, it’s her talent with the ball that first saw her capture the attention of selectors and cricket fans alike.

An attacking bowler who isn’t afraid to loft the ball up and give it a big rip, Wellington made a splash on ODI debut last November, taking a wicket with her first ball in international cricket.

With 12 months of training with the Australian squad now under her belt, Mott believes the leg-spinner is well poised to take her game to the next level this summer.

“She came in very raw … but with professionalism and greater attention to detail and understanding herself a lot more, this next year should be one of her best years.

“She knows what she wants to do, she rips the ball hard as a leggie and now she does the extra work with the bat too and she’s seeing the rewards for that.

“She’s developed a lot, there’s a lot to go but there’s good signs there. She’s a genuine wicket taker on all surfaces which is a great asset for us to have.”

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (C), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.

Schedule

First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT