Nathan Ellis came close to taking his second hat-trick from just three T20Is as the pacer impressed again in green and gold
Hat-trick goes begging but Ellis impresses again
Nathan Ellis' international career is still young, but his performances and figures look like that of a seasoned campaigner.
Ellis, who burst onto the international scene with a hat-trick on debut against Bangladesh, took a career-best 4-28 in the sole T20I against Pakistan.
From three matches, the right-armer now has nine wickets at an average of only 8.66 and an economy of a measly 6.5.
On display during his four-wicket haul were the weapons that have made him such a success in his three seasons with the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, deceiving Pakistan with his back-of-the-hand slower balls and well-executed yorkers.
Ellis' first over went for 14 runs as Pakistan captain Babar Azam got him away for three boundaries during the Powerplay.
But his next three overs, which included the 17th and the 19th of the innings, went for a combined 4-14 as he found his groove on the Lahore surface.
Perfect slower balls accounted for the wickets of the dangerous Asif Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, and following Shaheen's wicket Ellis had a chance at another hat-trick for Australia.
Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, his delivery was too good for Pakistan's number nine Mohammad Wasim Jnr, who played and missed despite loud appeals from the Aussies.
With two reviews up his sleeve, Australia captain Aaron Finch decided to check upstairs but Ellis would have to settle with the dot ball.
Image Id: 15E96F9F6F8342FDAA9973D66D0BA5E5 Image Caption: Nathan Ellis came this close to his second T20I hat-trick // Fox CricketFinch said it's no surprise that Ellis has adapted and flourished so soon at international level.
"He's someone who brings an unbelievable attitude and an unbelievable work ethic to games and training," Finch said after the three-wicket win over Pakistan.
"He's got an ability to learn really quickly, whether it be with the new ball, old ball.
"When he turns up, he's got an infectious attitude that he brings.
"He's one of those guys that will have a super future because he's prepared to challenge himself each and every day.
"And that's a great sign, especially from a guy who hasn't had a huge amount of international experience."
Ellis will now surely have one eye on the T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia later this year.
Although the World Cup-winning pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc will be available for that tournament, the right-armer will be in the mix especially considering he was a travelling reserve with the squad that won the title in Dubai in November last year.
From here, Ellis will head to the IPL where he will link up with the Punjab Kings, for whom he played three matches for last season.
Following that, he will join Hampshire for England's T20 Blast competition.
Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022
First Test: Match drawn
Second Test: Match drawn
Third Test: Australia win by 115 runs
Pakistan ODI and T20 squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique*, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq*, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel*, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir (*ODIs only)
Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa
First ODI: Australia win by 88 runs
Second ODI: Pakistan win by six wickets
Third ODI: Pakistan win by nine wickets
Only T20I: Australia win by three wickets
All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports