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With IPL 2021 just under a month away from resuming in UAE, the franchises have had their tasks cut out in terms of finding replacements for unavailable players. In a recent development, Punjab Kings have notably signed Aussie speedster Nathan Ellis for the second half of the season with the duo of Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith not available for remainder of the tournament. The franchise also confirmed that they would announce the other replacement player in a couple of days.
"We were not aware of the fitness status of Jhye and Riley till yesterday (August 18). That they cannot be part of the IPL was known only after the Cricket Australia press conference. We have signed Ellis as a replacement player. We will announce the second replacement in a day or two," Punjab Kings' CEO Satish Menon said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Ellis had recently scalped hattrick against Bangladesh
Nathan Ellis has been knocking the doors with his performances in the Australian domestic circuit for last couple of years. However, he caught everyone's attention only in the recently-concluded T20I series between Australia and Bangladesh. The right-arm pacer was handed his debut cap in the 3rd match which was played in Dhaka.
The 26-year-old made the most out of his opportunity as he went on to take a hattrick, becoming the first-ever cricketer to achieve this feat on T20I debut. Ellis registered impressive figures of 4-0-34-3 and became the talking point of the town, thanks to his brilliant hattrick.
WATCH: Ellis takes hattrick on T20I debut against Bangladesh
Aussie pacer has been impressive in BBL
Nathan Ellis has proven his worth as a T20 specialist while playing for Hobart Hurricanes in Big Bash League. The speedster has scalped 32 wickets in 29 appearances over the course of last two seasons. He usually bowls the toughest overs for his side (powerplay and death) but still has a decent economy of 8.13 to his name.
The 26-year-old has some very exciting variations in his armoury, especially his slower ones, which will make him an effective bowler on slowish UAE tracks. Ellis has also been selected as reserve player for Australia's T20 World Cup squad, which is a testimony to the fact that he has a lot of potential and his inclusion in Punjab Kings' side could prove to be a good move for both parties.