Ellis goes from zero to hero

Hobart backs quick to take the leap to national T20 selection

HE’S become the Hurricanes’ banker – and Hobart’s leadership group says Nathan Ellis should be in the Australian Twenty20 squad for the tour of New Zealand.

With an Australian Test tour of South African on at the same time as the T20 tour of New Zealand, there are likely to be a few places up for grabs in the short-form squad.

Ellis, who came from nowhere last year to become a star for the Hurricanes, has taken his outstanding form to the level that coach Adam Griffith has labelled him at least the equal of any other quick in the BBL.

Ellis, 26, is equal fourth on the wicket-takers’ list with 20 at 19.95 runs, and an economy rate of eight runs an over.

But it is where he bowls that makes him the standout for Griffith.

“They talk about a lot of other bowlers but I actually reckon he’s had one of the best, if not the best, seasons out of all the quicks,” Griffith said.

(Scorcher) Jhye Richardson has been brilliant up the top taking wickets, (the Heat’s Mark) Steketee’s taken wickets, but what Ellis (pictured) does is he always bowls in the hardest overs, whether that is the last over of the power play, in the power surge or the last two overs.

“And a lot of times he’s bowled three straight in the back end and that’s unheard of in T20 cricket.

“Most of the time that is just asking for trouble as if a batter can face two or three overs in a row they can line them up, but he just keeps coming back and executing.

“I really hope he’s on that plane to New Zealand, he’ll thrive in that environment and learn, and he just always wants to get better.”

Hurricanes skipper Matthew Wade said Ellis had become the team’s banker for his ability to bowl well in the toughest circumstances.

“He’s going from strength to strength and it still amazes me that he’s been in the game for such a small amount of time,” Wade said.

“I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t play for Australia and maybe even go to New Zealand in a little bit.”

Griffith also backed express quick Riley Meredith to bounce back after his horror final over in the win over the Sixers on Sunday night.

Defending 28 off the 20th over, Meredith conceded 20 runs for the wicket of the inform Jordan Silk, but also delivered two waist-high full tosses that were called no balls.

“We back him in, the boys love him and we can’t wait to see him respond against the Renegades,” Griffith said.