In an announcement by Adelaide Strikers, Amanda-Jade Wellington has officially extended her contract with the Adelaide Strikers for another three years.
This renewal comes as no surprise after Wellington’s outstanding performance in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), where she was named in the Team of the Tournament for her exceptional bowling skills. With a total of 23 wickets, including a crucial final over in The Final against the Sydney Sixers, Wellington has proven herself to be an invaluable asset to the Strikers.
In the Championship-winning WBBL 08, Wellington showcased her prowess as a leg spinner by taking an impressive tally of 21 wickets during the minor round. Her exceptional skills didn’t stop there, as she continued to shine in the finals, contributing two more wickets to her name.
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Adelaide Striker Amanda-Jade Wellington extends her contract with Adelaide Strikers until the end of WBBL11#CricketTwitter #WBBL pic.twitter.com/WcuKEeQV8J
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 21, 2023
One of the most memorable moments of the tournament was when Wellington bowled the crucial final over in The Final against the Sydney Sixers, solidifying the Strikers’ victory. Her outstanding performance throughout the tournament earned her a spot in the prestigious Team of the Tournament.
Wellington’s excitement about re-signing with the Adelaide Strikers for another three years is palpable. “To sign for another three years, it’s pretty cool given I’ve been here since day one,” Wellington said. “Strikers feel like home to me and that’s where I want to be.”
She firmly believes that the Strikers have provided her with a platform to make a significant impact and is grateful for the faith shown in her by Tim Nielsen, the SACA General Manager, Cricket, and Luke Williams, the head coach.
The Adelaide Strikers have always recognized Wellington’s immense talent and contribution to the team. Tim Nielsen, the SACA General Manager, Cricket, highlights Wellington’s integral role in the Strikers’ success throughout the years. “It’s great to have someone of Amanda-Jade’s experience and talent re-commit with us long-term,” Nielsen said.
“’Wello’ has been a big part of our Strikers team for eight years now and we are looking forward to seeing her continue to contribute for the next three seasons.”
She is the youngest ever player to represent the Scorpions in a senior match, a leg-spinner who made a bright start to her cricketing career. With national experience in the indoor version of the game, Wellington was selected alongside Alex Price in the Australia A Women’s squad for 2015-16.
Her selection came off the back of a fabulous season for the Scorpions in which she led the way with the ball, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in both the 50-over and T20 formats. Across the two formats, she claimed 25 wickets and provided a number of handy contributions with the bat.
Wellington made her international debut for Australia against South Africa in a one-day game in 2016 and made headlines around the world with a stunning delivery to bowl Tammy Beaumont during the 2017 Ashes Test. While she dropped out of the national side in 2018, she continued to dominate at the domestic level, and her efforts were rewarded with a national recall ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
While Wellington’s contract renewal brings great joy to Adelaide Strikers fans, she is currently in the UK representing Australia A. Her participation in international competitions further demonstrates her remarkable skills and commitment to the sport. As she continues to excel on the international stage, her experiences and learnings will undoubtedly benefit the Adelaide Strikers upon her return.
(Quotes sourced from Adelaide Strikers press release)