Team evolution behind Strikers' shock Wells delisting

Veteran T20 batter Jon Wells is in the market for a new Big Bash club after the Adelaide Strikers parted ways with the competition's fourth leading run scorer of all-time.

In a statement, the Strikers said it was a "difficult decision" not to offer the 33-year-old a new contract beyond KFC BBL|11 and cited uncertainty of overseas player recruitment as a reason behind the move.

The right-hander was the Strikers' highest run scorer during the recently concluded season with his 501 runs at 38.53 bettered by only the Hobart Hurricanes' Ben McDermott's 577.

In the 11 seasons of the competition, only Chris Lynn, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell have scored more runs than Wells' 2,554, which have come at a handy strike rate of 122.

"The uncertain nature of overseas player recruitment in the current landscape, the depth of young talent and a need to consistently evolve as a team, the Strikers remain committed to doing everything possible to build a team contending for titles," Adelaide's statement read.

Wells is one of the most experienced players in the competition and will undoubtedly attract interest from other clubs.

The middle-order batter rarely gives his wicket away and has finished not out in 30 of his 103 BBL innings.

Big Bash battlers the Melbourne Renegades loom as a potential suitor for Wells services and he would slot nicely into their young, inexperienced middle-order that is prone to collapses.

Another candidate could be the Brisbane Heat with coach Wade Seccombe flagging on radio last Thursday he was looking to recruit good domestic players to "act as a bit of a spine" for his side.

Wells spent five seasons with the Strikers after crossing from the Hobart Hurricanes ahead of BBL|07, and he played a pivotal role in their maiden Big Bash title that same season where he coincidentally faced off against his old side in the final.

He departs as their second highest run scorer of all-time with 1,740 in 68 innings and left one of his finest knocks for last with an unbeaten 62 from 47 deliveries as the Strikers went down to the Sydney Sixers in a final-ball thriller in the Challenger final at the SCG.

Strikers coach Jason Gillespie thanked Wells for always being a "calm head" for the team who was a leader both on and off the field.

"Wellsy is a brilliant cricketer and I cannot speak highly enough of what he has brought to the Strikers in his time here," the former Australian seamer said.

"You know when he walks to the middle that he will give everything for the team, and more often than not he delivers exactly what is required.

"I know Wellsy will continue to succeed at any challenge thrown his way."

Wells becomes the second high-profile player not to be offered a new contract by his Big Bash club after leg-spinner Cameron Boyce was axed by the Melbourne Renegades ahead of the final game of the season, only to go out and take four wickets in four balls to claim a place in BBL history.