Blessed with a solid technique and an all-round game, Jonathan Wells promised so much when he broke into the scene during the 2008-09 domestic season. The fragile nature of the Tasmanian top order meant that he got ample opportunities despite being a rookie player. However, after a good fizzing start to the career, Wells started to become way too inconsistent and he had to mostly play for the State's second XI.
It was then that Wells felt the need to revamp his playing style altogether and it worked wonders albeit in the shorter formats. He started to attain success in white-ball cricket and that saw him earn a contract with the Hobart Hurricanes in the 2010-11 season. Filling in for the injured Tim Paine, Wells stroked a fifty in his very first innings to set the ball rolling in the T20 format. He slowly established himself as a vital cog of the Hurricanes batting with his temperament and ability to pace an innings.
Despite Wells' late surge in his career, Tasmania felt that they had enough and discarded him from the contract in 2012. This forced him to make a move to Western Australia in a bid to get more opportunities. Barring the BBL where he continued to be with the Hurricanes, Wells plied his trade with Western Australia. Inconsistent form dogged him there as well and was removed from the contract list. Since 2015, Wells has been in fairly good touch in the shorter formats. After an impressive stint with the Hurricanes for six BBL seasons, he earned a contract with the Adelaide Strikers.
By Hariprasad Sadanandan
