As Twenty20 becomes more crash and bash and scores get greater, the importance of someone in the middle order who can settle an innings is of the highest priority.
Season after season, Jono Wells has done this for both the Hobart Hurricanes and the Adelaide Strikers.
After winning the tournament in 2015 after transferring to the Strikers, he has become the backbone of the Adelaide team.
These types of players have become pivotal in the shortest format with players such as Eoin Morgan and Steve Smith being prime examples.
These players have the ability to knock the ball around and steady after the loss of early wickets and then accelerate towards the back end.
Wells has a career average of 34.12 and a strike rate 123.19, which puts him in the all-time top 20 BBL averages.
(Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
While Wells has only eight half-centuries, it is impressive for someone who has batted at five for most of his career.
Wells should be seriously considered for the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia – if not in the main team, at least for the squad.
While he would not be first picked as he would play a similar role to Smith, he would be important if an injury occurred as well as being a highly effective outfielder as a substitute.
Look at the West Indies team that won the 2016 World Cup. They had two players in the middle order who had the ability to steady an innings.
Lendl Simmons and Marlon Samuels provided the West Indies openers the ability to attack from the get-go with the confidence that players following would settle the innings.
Australia would be foolish to not utilise this model with most likely Smith and Alex Carey, with Wells in the squad as back-up if an injury occurs.
Australia has historically struggled in the shortest format and should consider picking players who are proven to perform no matter the situation.
The Strikers have consistently been there or thereabouts in the Big Bash since Wells has played for them and regularly challenge every team.
Wells provides the perfect foil to aggressive players such as Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Finch and David Warner, with his hard running and crafty shots.
Jono Wells has continued to fly under the radar in Australian cricket and should be considered in Australia’s shortest format.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Maybe... but Fawad seems to have a line through his name, presumably based on being a liability in the field!
matth
Roar Guru
Add M Marsh and Jyhe Richardson to that list as well
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Swepson would have to be in the mix if his current T20 form. Fawad? His T20 record is incredible.
Damian OGrady
Guest
Warner Finch Smith Maxwell Stonis M Marsh Carey Cummins Starc Zampa Richardson
Jason
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure about Wells but Turner has to be omitted. Been terribly out of form for nearly 12 months. Agar has not been bowling or batting well, his fielding is always exceptional , however that isn't enough to keep his spot, I suspect he will though. Interesting that the Scorchers have started winning since those two have been out of the side.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Smooth and elegant. Martin Love, Mark Waugh, Craig Sergeant, Paul Sheahan. Do we have the smooth stroking, elegant batsman in this generation? Cam Green is the closest in WA.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Edit: add Mitch Marsh to the list. He could potentially push Short, Stoinis or even Turner out of the squad,
JamesH
Roar Guru
I think you can lock in Agar and Zampa. Something would have to go reeeeeeally wrong for either of them to miss the squad. Lyon seems to be their only real threat for one of the spinner spots. Right now I'd have something like: Warner Finch Smith Maxwell Carey Turner Agar Starc Cummins Richardson Zampa Short Stoinis Coulter-Nile J Richardson I can see the argument for Wells because we have a real lack of standout middle order batsmen. Maxwell is the obvious one, but then we're relying on Turner and Carey who haven't proven themselves in this format. Even the two backup batsmen I've listed, Short and Stoinis, are best at the top. Stanlake is still ranked no 13 in the world but he just seems miles off the pace right now. Chris Green would have been close before his ban. Lynn, Hazlewood and Lyon are chances.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
And yet Jamie Siddons and Jono Wells will probably play the same number of test matches. At least Martin Love got five
edward james
Roar Pro
Was thinking exactly this after Sunday's performance. Would love for a spot to open up and for him to find his way into the side - he's criminally underrated and can adapt to any situation - but unfortunately Australia already have a deep pool of talent ahead of him. For now though, I'll enjoy seeing him fly under the radar in the Strikers' blue.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'd say those two were many leagues better.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Jono Wells is no chance as you say. Someone has to play the Jamie Siddons or Martin Love character in every generation
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Stonis, M.Marsh and Maxwell all need to be in the team.
AREH
Roar Guru
The 15 (presumably) is going to be very interesting picking, as there's just so many candidates. Too far out to know, but I'd only lock Finch, Warner, Smith, Maxwell, Carey, Starc and Cummins at this stage?
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
There is a role for steadier middle order types in T20, but not at 5 or 6 in the order. But even so, a strike rate of 123 is much lower than just about anyone who has had success. About the only highly rated international bat under 130 is Babar Azam at 127, and he averages 50.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
A good little performer although he has about 20 to 30 players ahead of him.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm guessing there will be 15 players allowed for each T20 squad at this years World Cup and right now Australia has the following XI Finch Warner Smith McDermott Turner Carey Agar Cummins Starc K Richardson Zampa Into that mix has to come Maxwell, MM, Stoinis, Short, Stanlake,maybe Labuschagne and now Jono Wells. I suspect he might not get a look in JF, not that he shouldn't be considered