Pin City: Wellington makes most of Games novelty

For a professional cricketer to describe a tour where they haven't played a single match as 'one of the best', it's abundantly clear something a little bit out-of-the-ordinary has happened.

Amanda-Jade Wellington is unlikely to feature in the Australian XI as they gun for Commonwealth Games gold – indeed, she's not played T20 cricket for Australia for more than four years now – but is adamant her time in Birmingham has been one of, if not the best tour she's ever been on.

Leg-spinner Wellington, a colourful character with a refreshing perspective on life and cricket, as well as penchant for collecting, has spent her time in Birmingham lapping up everything that life at the Commonwealth Games has to offer.

The 25-year-old, who burst onto the international cricket scene as a precociously talented teenager before spending four years away from the Australian setup, returned to the fold ahead of this year's ODI World Cup, playing twice in the group stages in an ultimately successful tournament.

Image Id: 01D64EA2FD2B43938901D86501D82616 Image Caption: Amanda-Jade Wellington at Aussie training // Commonwealth Games Australia

It was a recall won on the back of hard work to improve her fitness and fielding as much as her bowling. And with it she brought a newfound maturity and mindset, and a motto which she continues to live by.

If I play, I play. If I don't, I'm always gonna make memories.

* * * 

Wellington's had dinner with Anna Meares, the track cycling legend now part of the Australian team leadership, spent time befriending middle-distance runner Peter Bol and become mates with athletes from the tiny African nation of Lesotho.

 

But there's one element of the Games that's captured her imagination like no other: pin collecting.

Image Id: 12F9F0D085184BD9A839D646FB3D9684 Image Caption: Wellington trading pins with Caribbean athletes // cricket.com.au

The swapping and trading of pins has become something of a tradition at multi-sport events since they began being circulated at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics.

In Birmingham, athletes were given a set of pins unique to the country they represent which they can then trade with athletes from other nations.

For Wellington, a self-confessed 'full-time Pokemon collector', the attraction was obvious, and immediate.

Wellington, admitting with a laugh that she's been a 'stinge' around her fellow Australian teammates, immediately set out to acquire as many of the Australian team pins as she could to then use as trading currency to build up her collection of pins from other nations.

With her collection now sitting at 52 pins out of a possible 72, it's been a remarkably successful and enjoyable venture for Wellington, but the South Australian is desperate to complete the set and has even recruited Meares to aid her mission.

Image Id: D35F03788C274E849A0689960B56F5BF Image Caption: Some of the pins Wellington has collected at the Comm Games // cricket.com.au

"I had dinner last night with Anna Meares and I was telling her about the pins and how I've enjoyed the whole experience," Wellington said on the Scoop Podcast. 

"I was saying to her that I've got somewhere between 40 to 50 pins but I'm trying to I'm trying to get whole lot like I want the collection.

"So she was like, 'I can help you when I'm at the main village…' And soon enough this morning, I got a text from Anna saying, 'I got this pin from Jersey you can tick off your list'."

Image Id: 382D641F92C442ADB1F9D5F70646BB72 Image Caption: Wellington and runner Peter Bol // cricket.com.au

There's no doubt Wellington would love to be playing an on-field role as Australia hunt down an historic gold medal in tonight's clash with India (2am AEST).

But true to the 'team-first' mentality that permeates the Australian squad, 25-year-old Wellington is nothing but accepting of the situation and is thrilled to witness and be a part of the success in Birmingham.

"I think a few years ago if this was me, I'd probably throw my toys out of the cot and I'd probably be like, 'Why am I not playing?'" Wellington said.

"I probably would've spoken to my Mum or my partner and been like, 'I'm not playing what is this?'"

"But now I think it's just game of cricket, you know. I know what (the selectors are) doing is best for the team and the girls are absolutely smashing it at the moment.

"It's so awesome to see, especially someone like (fellow leg-spinner) Alana King coming into the group in performing so well, I couldn't be happier for her.

"Just being in this environment once again is making me really happy."

Wellington's appreciation of the truly diverse, multi-sport event is palpable. At every opportunity, the South Australian is strolling through the streets of Birmingham from the cricketers' hotel base to the lively bustle of the main Athlete's Village at the University of Birmingham where she'll strike up conversations with athletes, officials and volunteers alike.

"To be here is pretty incredible," Welllington said.

"I've gone out of my way to experience this because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"I've met Peter Bol, Cody Simpson, Emma McKeon, so many people like it's unbelievable.

"Even on our days off, I've gone over the main village and just sat at the athletic track to just watch people train.

"It's unbelievable how people go about their training. It's so different to cricket, and they're so precise with what they do, and it's just so fascinating to watch."

With less than 20 pins left to collect, you'd give Wellington a fair chance of departing Birmingham with the full gamut from the Commonwealth nations.

An even surer bet, Wellington will join up with her Southern Brave teammates ahead of The Hundred with some unique memories, an infectious desire to make even more, and eyes on her next target for collecting.

2022 Commonwealth Games

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

See all the Commonwealth Games cricket squads here

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

July 29: Australia beat India by three wickets

July 31: Australia beat Barbados by nine wickets

August 3: Australia beat Pakistan by 44 runs

Semi-finals: August 6

India defeated England by four runs

Australia beat New Zealand by five wickets

Bronze medal match: England v New Zealand, August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

Gold medal match: Australia v India, August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium. Watch live or on demand via 7Plus