Nathan Ellis, Australian pacer is having a dream year. He got to make his T20I debut against Bangladesh recently and made it memorable by picking a hat-trick. Apart from that, he was also named as a reserve player in the squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
Now, the year 2021 has got even bigger for him as one of the unnamed IPL teams has picked him for the UAE leg which is set to resume on September 19 as it was postponed due to a bio bubble breach in India in early May. Interestingly, he was being chased by three different franchises before one team finalized him.
Nathan Ellis Will Come As A Replacement Player In IPL 2021’s UAE Leg
The pacer’s final IPL deal will be approved by Cricket Australia (CA) and then Nathan Ellis will be eligible to play in one of the best franchise T20 leagues going across the globe. If the 26-year-old continues to impress in the IPL 2021, then Australia could also include him in the main squad. Interestingly, Nathan Eilis went unsold in the IPL auctions earlier this year. But an opportunity came along for him when the 14th edition of IPL 2021 got postponed due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
With the eight franchises desperate to finalize the teams due to certain players declining the UAE leg of IPL, Nathan Ellis is one of the players who will come to the second leg as a replacement player. The 26-year-old player attracted the spotlight with a hat-trick in his debut match. Picking 5 wickets in 2 games, he emerged as a powerful bowler during Australia’s miserable 4-1 loss to Bangladesh in the series.
Nathan Ellis Made An Impression In The Big Bash League And Was Praised By New Chief Selector Of Australia George Bailey
Nathan Ellis first made an impression in the Big Bash League (BBL) while playing for Hobart Hurricanes. Once rejected for being too short as a fast bowler, he kept on continuing with his dream of being a pacer. His life changed 360 degrees when he decided to move to Tasmania.
“There were no promises or anything, but it was, ‘If you train well and play well, you’ll get the chance’,” Ellis told cricket.com.au in 2019. “That was enough for me.”
Australia chief selector George Bailey hailed Nathan Ellis’ commitment and patience in putting hard yards.
“It’s a great story of perseverance and commitment to the cause,” Bailey said.
“In terms of what you’re after from those reserves and knowing we can’t carry that many of them, you want someone who can cover as many bases as you can, particularly in T20 and the distinct roles of bowling with the newer ball and finishing off at the death.”
Australian fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Jhye Richardson, and Riley Meredith are among the contracted Australian players who are not expected to return to the UAE leg of IPL 2021. Royal Challengers Bangalore had already drafted in Scott Kuggelign as Kane Richardson’s replacement and the New Zealander is likely to continue in Phase 2.
Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to make a move for Nathan Ellis to replace Pat Cummins, while the same could be the same for Punjab Kings, who are set to be without Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith. Furthermore, Rajasthan Royals could also emerge as suitors, with Jofra Archer ruled out of the tournament with an injury.