The Strikers have confirmed that veteran batsman Jonathan Wells and the Adelaide franchise have gone their separate ways, with a number of factors leading to the club's decision not to offer the 33-year-old a new contract.
Despite recording the second-most runs of any batter in BBL|11, Wells has departed the Strikers and will now be on the hunt for his third Big Bash side for the 2022/23 season.
In a press release posted on Saturday, the Strikers stated that "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" were reasons behind their decision not to extend Wells' contract.
Wells has played 68 matches for the Strikers since joining from the Hobart Hurricanes over four years ago, becoming an incumbent piece of coach Jason Gillespie's middle-order.
“Wellsy is a brilliant cricketer and I cannot speak highly enough of what he has brought to the Strikers in his time here. 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," Gillespie said.
“We thank Wellsy for always being that calm head for us, and for being a leader both on and off the field. I know Wellsy will continue to succeed at any challenge thrown his way.”
Prior to Adelaide's official announcement, the Melbourne Renegades had been closely linked with the Tasmanian, who sits fourth on the Big Bash's all-time runs leaderboard.
Wells has scored over 2,600 T20 runs across his career, averaging 33.94 with the bat to tally a total of 15 half-centuries.
