IPL 2021 Phase 2 – Nathan Ellis IPL Contract: Australia’s T20 World Cup-bound player Nathan Ellis has been roped in by Punjab Kings. Ellis who recently made his debut for Australia vs Bangladesh was on Thursday named in the Australian squad & will now also be seen in action in IPL 2021 Phase 2 in UAE.
IPL 2021 Phase 2: Australia’s T20 World Cup bound player Nathan Ellis lands IPL contract, check details
As per Cricket.com.au, Big Bash League star Nathan Ellis has landed an IPL contract just hours after sealing his place as one of the reserves for Australia’s T20 World Cup squad. The report states that three franchises were in talks to bring over the pacer as a replacement before he eventually agreed to join Punjab Kings on Thursday night. The IPL marks the stellar rise of Ellis over the past few months and will give him some much-needed match practice with the T20 World Cup set to follow immediately.
Punjab Kings were forced to sign a replacement after two of their pace attack Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith pulled out of the IPL 2021 Phase 2.
Ellis made his international debut during the recently concluded tour of Bangladesh, where he became the first to pick up a hat-trick on his T20I debut. The right-arm pacer’s IPL 2021 deal is however subject to final approval from Cricket Australia. IPL franchises are set to finalise their squads in the coming days for the second half of the tournament after it was postponed earlier this year due to the pandemic.
It’s expected Ellis, who went unsold at the initial player auction in January, will be one of several international replacements after a handful of contracted players declined to play in the final stages of the competition.
This week, Australia’s chief selector George Bailey, a former teammate of Ellis at Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes, praised the fast bowler’s resilience. He said, “It’s a great story of perseverance and commitment to the cause. 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.
Bailey added, “We feel like Nathan covers those bases really well. He gives it his absolute all, he’s a terrific team man to have with the group and someone we see as having a really strong future in the Australian coloured clothing.”
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Which teams could sign Nathan Ellis for IPL 2021 Phase 2?
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 IPL 2021 Phase 2. 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 Ellis to replace Cummins, while the same could be the same for Punjab Kings, who are set to be without Jhye and Meredith. Furthermore, Rajasthan Royals could also emerge as suitors, with Jofra Archer ruled out of the tournament with an injury.
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