'Middle-order role one of the toughest in T20 cricket' - Jonathan Wells

He has been compared to Michael Bevan. There are growing calls for him to be given a spot in Australia's T20I middle order. But Jonathan Wells is focused on the here and now, continuing his prolific form in "one of the toughest roles" in T20 cricket and helping the Adelaide Strikers towards the Big Bash final.

His top line numbers are outstanding: 444 runs in the regular season at 74.00 and a strike-rate of 136.19. The majority of his 13 innings have been at No.5, while those around him in the leading-scorers list are ones who occupy the top three positions and therefore the chance to face the most balls.

At the Adelaide Strikers, that luxury goes to Jake Weatherald and Phil Salt followed by Travis Head and Alex Carey when not on Australia duty, with Wells occasionally moving up a spot when one is absent. He usually has to wait, knowing there are a whole range of situations where he could be called upon but in most of them he won't have much time.

"I think if you ask any batsman what their preference would be they probably say the top three, purely on the numbers, you have the opportunity to face as many balls as you can, also having fielding restrictions," Wells told ESPNcricinfo. "The actual middle-order role is one of the toughest in T20 cricket and I think it's a bit of a niche position where not everyone can do it. I think a lot of players could go up the top and do a similar type of job, but through the middle if you can nail that position then it's very good for a team to have someone in that position they can rely on and can play a few different scenarios."