Strikers bolster their batting line-up with the signature of Hurricanes batsman Jonathan Wells
Adelaide strike deal with Wells
The Adelaide Strikers have lured batsman Jonathan Wells across Bass Strait for the next KFC BBL season, signing him from the Hobart Hurricanes.
Wells played six Big Bash League games for the Hurricanes in BBL|06, scoring 137 runs in five innings at the impressive strike rate of 130.47.
The 29-year-old is likely to feel at home at Adelaide Oval, the ground where he pummelled 55 runs from 37 balls to guide Hobart to victory over the Strikers last summer.
He’ll bolster an Adelaide batting line-up that will be without former captain Brad Hodge this summer, after the T20 legend parted ways with the Strikers at the end of BBL|06.
"We think that Jon can absolutely flourish in Adelaide and we’re delighted to secure his services,” Strikers coach Jason Gillespie said.
"We’ve had some experienced players move on, but to secure a guy who’s played a bit of T20 cricket is very good for us."
Tasmanian-born Wells also scored two Sheffield Shield centuries for Western Australia last season.
"I am really excited to be joining a talented and youthful squad,” Wells said.
"Adelaide Oval is one of the best in the world and the atmosphere the fans bring is amazing.
"I’m really looking forward to working with the lads and the coaching staff to bring success to the Strikers."
Wells’ arrival follows last week’s signing of hard-hitting South African Colin Ingram, who is joining the Strikers off the back of dominant performances in the English domestic T20 season that saw him named player of the tournament for his exploits with Glamorgan last year, a trend he’s continued in 2017.
It marks the latest move in a busy Adelaide-Hobart corridor, with Ben Dunk and Hamish Kingston trading places ahead of last season.
Dunk, last season’s leading run scorer, has since been linked with a move to the Melbourne Stars following the retirement of Rob Quiney, while the Strikers have been linked with rising star Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
Current Squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Jono Dean, Colin Ingram (OS), Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Jonathan Wells.