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Australian leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington has announced her decision to step away from national selection, indicating a preference for franchise cricket over international duties.
Amanda Wellington prioritizes personal well-being over international duty
In a revealing interview on ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast, the 28-year-old cited mental health and personal fulfilment as primary drivers behind her choice. Wellington last represented Australia during the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand.
Wellington articulated a clear shift in her career priorities, emphasizing the unique joy and connection she experiences in global franchise competitions. “Personally, I think I’ve made the decision to stop playing international cricket. If there was ever an opportunity to play, I think I would personally prioritise franchise cricket over that,” Wellington stated. She candidly added, “I know it’s tough to say, but that’s something I really enjoy playing, and it brings out the best of me in terms of personality and enjoyment. That’s one thing I’ve got to put first is my mental health and the way I play franchise cricket, the feeling and just being involved in it, is just a whole new level.”
She acknowledged the immense honour of playing for Australia but highlighted the broader experiences offered by the franchise circuit. “Don’t get me wrong, playing for Australia is amazing and it’s such an achievement. But to be able to travel the world, fly to different places, play a sport you love and just create bonds with so many different people and different franchises – the amount of people I’ve met – it’s ridiculous,” she explained.
Domestic and international career of Amanda Wellington
Wellington boasts a remarkable career history, having debuted for South Australia in the WNCL at just 15, making her the youngest-ever senior representative for the state. She later became the Scorpions’ all-time leading wicket-taker. In the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), she has been a key player for the Adelaide Strikers since the league’s inception, twice achieving the WBBL’s best bowling figures of 5/8 and consistently ranking among the competition’s top wicket-takers. Her extensive overseas domestic experience includes stints with Southern Vipers, Otago, Southern Brave, Manchester Originals, Western Storm and Oval Invincibles.
On the international stage, Wellington has represented Australia across all three formats since 2016, featuring in 14 ODIs, 8 T20Is and 1 Test match, accumulating a total of 30 wickets.
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