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Wellington turns attention to national duties

The Adelaide Strikers allrounder is keen to put the disappointing result in the WBBL Final behind her and perform well for Australia A

The Rebel WBBL culminated in the Brisbane Heat winning back-to-back titles on Sunday, but for eight of those involved in the weekend’s finals series, a whirlwind period of cricket is not over yet.

While the Australian players will embark on a well-earned period of rest ahead of the T20 World Cup in February and March, the next tier will find themselves back in action at Allan Border Field – the venue of Sunday’s final – on Thursday.

Brisbane’s Sammy-Jo Johnson, Adelaide trio Amanda-Jade Wellington, Tahlia McGrath and Bridget Patterson, Perth Scorchers duo Heather Graham and Georgia Redmayne and the Melbourne Renegades Maitlan Brown and Molly Strano will all regroup in Brisbane on Tuesday for Australia A’s limited-overs series against India A.

That contest kicks off with the first of three 50-over matches on Thursday, with three T20s on the Gold Coast to follow the 50-over games.

"I get to go home for one day so I’m really happy about that," Strikers leg-spinner Wellington said on Sunday.

Wellington was a standout with the ball for the Strikers in WBBL|05, taking 16 wickets at 20.25.

Heat stand tall to down Strikers in style

She has not played for Australia since early 2018, but hopes to use the ‘A’ series to further push her case.

"I’ve been feeling really good, I feel like I’ve been playing a consistent role for the team," she said.

"It’s important for me but also knowing the selectors are stilling looking at me, I’m hoping to go out there and put my case forward.

"I’m also really happy to see someone like Bridget Patterson getting picked and getting that acknowledgement. 

"It’s really positive to see (three Strikers in the squad), hopefully a couple more South Australians can join Megan Schutt in the Aussie team."

Meanwhile, Australian star Beth Mooney, player of the match for the Heat in the decider, is eagerly awaiting a chance to put her feet up for a few weeks after what’s been a hectic period for the nation’s top players.

Mooney was part of the Australian group that successfully retained the Ashes in July, returning home briefly before heading to the Caribbean, where they whitewashed the West Indies.

Immediately upon their return home they travelled to Sydney for six limited-overs matches against Sri Lanka, before joining their WBBL clubs for the competition’s first standalone season.

"I’ve got three weeks off and settlement for my house is tomorrow," Mooney said.

"It’s been a great weekend, I get a trophy and I get a set of keys to my new house, so I’m pretty excited.

"Just to be home and take a breather from all things cricket (is valuable). 

"Now is a really good time for people to put their feet up and recharge and focus on what’s next."

Magnificent Mooney masters WBBL decider

Their next engagement will be the 50-over Women’s National Cricket League – the next round begins on January 6 – while Australia’s World Cup squad will come together in late January for a T20I tri-series against England and India that will serve as preparation for the ICC event.

Australia A One-Day squad: Maitlan Brown, Heather Graham, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Georgia Redmayne, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Tahlia Wilson

Australia A T20 Squad: Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Josie Dooley, Heather Graham, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Sammy Jo Johnson, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

India A squad: Veda Krishnamurthy (c), Anuja Patil (vc), Priya Punia, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Devika Vaidya, D Hemalatha, Tanusree Sarkar, Sushma Verma (wicket-keeper), Nuzhat Parween, Mansi Joshi, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Manali Dakshini, T P Kanwar

Australia A v India A

First OD: December 12, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10am

Second OD: December 14, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10am

Third OD: December 16, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10am

First T20: December 19, Bill Pippen Field, Gold Coast, 1pm

Second T20: December 21, Bill Pippen Field, Gold Coast, 1pm

Third T20: December 23, Bill Pippen Field, Gold Coast, 10am