According to Cricket.com.au, Big Bash League player Nathan Ellis has signed an IPL contract just hours after securing a spot in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad as a reserve. Three organisations were reportedly in talks to bring the pacer over as a replacement before he agreed to join an unknown franchise on Thursday night, according to the report. Ellis’ meteoric rise over the last several months will be highlighted by the IPL, which will provide him with much-needed match preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Ellis made his international debut during the just finished Bangladesh tour, where he became the first player in T20I history to score a hat-trick. The right-arm pacer’s IPL 2021 contract is still subject to Cricket Australia’s final sanction. After being postponed earlier this year owing to the pandemic, IPL franchises are expected to finalise their squads in the coming days for the second half of the competition.
After a handful of contractual players rejected to play in the final phases of the competition, Ellis, who went unsold at the first player auction in January, is set to be one of several international replacements.
Ellis’ fortitude was commended this week by Australia’s chief selector George Bailey, a former teammate of Ellis’ at Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes. “It’s a beautiful narrative of tenacity and dedication to the cause,” he remarked. When it comes to reserves, you want someone who can cover as many bases as possible, especially in T20 with the unique duties of bowling with the newer ball and finishing off at the end.
“We feel that Nathan covers those bases extremely well,” Bailey continued. He gives it his all, he’s a great team player, and we view him as having a bright future in the Australian coloured clothing.”
T20 World Cup: Australia’s squad for the blockbuster event was missing five notable IPL stars.
Which teams are in the running to sign Nathan Ellis for the IPL 2021 Phase 2?
Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Jhye Richardson, and Riley Meredith are among the contracted Australian players who will not be returning for the IPL 2021 Phase 2 season. Kane Richardson’s successor, Scott Kuggelign, had already been picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the New Zealander is expected to play in Phase 2.
Kolkata Knight Riders are expected to make a move for Ellis to replace Cummins, while Punjab Kings, who will be without Jhye and Meredith, may do the same. Rajasthan Royals could possibly be interested, as Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.