Ellis eyes next evolution after big break-out winter

Two years ago Nathan Ellis couldn't get into the Hobart Hurricanes starting XI and had only a handful of one-day matches under his belt for Tasmania, having moved south from Sydney in the hunt for regular cricket.

Yet, since his debut for the Hurricanes on December 20, 2019, Ellis has risen to become one of the country's finest T20 bowlers, with a hat-trick on his international debut, a plump contract in the IPL, and a spot in Australia's victorious T20 World Cup campaign as a travelling reserve.

His tale of tribulations has become well known as he's grown in stature among Aussie fans.

Told at 14 that he "wasn't a turf wicket bowler" in the first of many snubs from the NSW underage system, Ellis describes his "lowest moment" of employment history as an unsuccessful stint as a door-to-door fundraiser for the World Wildlife Fund. 

He moved to Tasmania in mid-2017 with no assurance of playing at a level any higher than club cricket and, after two stellar seasons with Lindisfarne in Tasmania's Premier competition, had still not got a look-in at state side.

He was seriously considering returning to Sydney when then-Tigers coach Adam Griffith invited him to train with the state squad over pre-season.

But now a blue riband star of the KFC BBL and, along with speedster Riley Meredith, a leader of the Hurricanes attack, the experience gained over the past two years has him primed for BBL|11.

Although he knows he now carries the burden of expectation.

Last summer his 20 wickets, with a best bowling of 4-34, average of 22.30 and economy rate of 8.31 put him in the top echelon of the competition's quicks to secure him a spot for Australia's winter white-ball tours.

"I fully did not expect to be on the Australian tour in the Caribbean and Bangladesh and then to get the call up for World Cup as the travelling reserve was one of my greatest achievements," Ellis said.

"I was really lucky, the squad and the coaching staff that we had (at the World Cup) and my experience at the IPL meant I got to rub shoulders with the biggest and the best players around the world."

The fast bowler was still riding high when reflecting on his time abroad, saying he learnt invaluable lessons, despite limited opportunities in the UAE, playing only three matches during his time with the Punjab Kings for a collective 1-90, as he remained on the reserves list throughout the World Cup.

"It was surreal to be a part of and (I) got to be up on the stage when we got to lift the (World Cup) trophy and it's something that I'll never forget," Ellis said.

"Things around the execution and the thought process in T20 cricket is probably the biggest thing I took from my experience and I'm hoping to try and emulate the success that the (Australian) big boys had over there."

And he'll get that chance, starting Wednesday when the Hurricanes open their season against the defending champion Sydney Sixers outfit that is fresh from a record-breaking win in their opening match of BBL|11.

With the Hurricanes beginning their season in Launceston, Ellis is hungry to kick start an important campaign off on the right foot.

"(It's) on our turf so hopefully we can start with a win … I think we did the same thing last year so hopefully we can do that again," the 27-year-old said.

Ellis is hoping for another eye-catching season with the Canes, as he aims to leapfrog the likes of Kane Richardson and Daniel Sams and make his way into Australia's main squad for the T20 World Cup on home soil next November.

"I've been close now, so close, but I wasn't there for the World Cup so it's made me want it even more," he said.

"I'm really excited to try and do the best I can in the Big Bash and throw my hat in the ring for next year."

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