Lawyer oversaw big changes in lineup
It is easy to pick the team from the safety of your couch.
But when you are in the room with the Black Caps coach, it suddenly gets more complicated, even for a lawyer who specialises in dispute resolution.
Wells has stepped down from the selection role he had held since September 2023.
The 41-year-old was made a partner at Dunedin law firm Gallaway Cook Allan late last year and something had to give.
"I guess I've been trying to have my cake and eat it too for the last few years," he said.
"I've got a young family and a job outside of cricket, and I guess I had to make a call on what things to prioritise."
The former Otago all-rounder loved his time in the role.
He did not always love being a magnet for every cricket tragic in the room, though.
"It does become quite intrusive.
"If I wanted to have a round of golf down at Chisholm, I got a few comments from the members about various things.
"You do become a bit of a public figure in that regard.
"A lot of it was in good humour, but there were not a lot of positive comments coming my way, let's just put it that way."
There should have been plenty of positivity.
Wells helped oversee a changing of the guard for the Black Caps.
During his tenure, players such as Rachin Ravindra, Will O'Rourke, Nathan Smith, Ben Sears, Mitch Hay and Zak Foulkes all found their feet at international level.
The Black Caps achieved a historic 3-0 test series win in India, and they made the final of the 2024 ICC Champions Trophy.
"I suppose with the bowling attack, there's been some big changes.
"That's really a credit to the players that have been given the opportunities and stood up.
"Will O'Rourke would be one that stands out. I think we brought him in for a test debut, maybe after a dozen first-class games or so, and he's hit the ground running."
Wells believes if O'Rourke can stay fit, he has the potential to finish his career as one of our best-performed players.
"But there's been a number of younger bowlers come through and do pretty well.
"I don't know if there's any magic selection skill in that.
"There's a good crop of talent there to pick from."
Selection is more of an art than a science. And everyone seems to have an opinion.
"I guess people would say that it is something I haven't struggled with.
"But it is still daunting when you go into the room the first time and you're sitting there with the Black Caps coach and your job is to tell him he's wrong; or not that he's wrong, but that you disagree with his point of view and that you would go another way.
"It's about talking people around to your way of thinking and convincing them that it's the logical and sensible thing to do rather than banging on the table.
"But you do still have to be courageous and stick your neck out.
"I always felt my job was to ask the questions that people were too scared to ask or wouldn't want to ask.
"So I just think having thick skin and being brave helps."
adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz
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