Nathan Ellis proves white-ball prowess can elevate you to one of country’s best bowlers

“You don’t see him much,” Ellis says. “He lives not far from mine, so when I’m walking I peek into his kitchen.

“But he’s so busy … you don’t envy him.”

The temptation could be for Ellis to leave Bailey a little note. Or, if he wanted to be even less subtle, write ‘please pick me’ on his hat-trick ball from his international debut against Bangladesh and leave it by the selector’s front door.

But he knows his time will come. And eventually, seeing his phone light up with Bailey’s name won’t fill him with dread.

“A lot of the time, the phone calls I get from Bails are bad news,” Ellis says.

“There is a feeling when the phone rings and you see George Bailey’s name, you don’t necessarily want to pick it up.

“It’s a tricky one because he’s an ex-teammate and I would say a friend. He’s great to have around and I appreciate the fact that he’s able to be honest with me.

“I find that invaluable – whether it’s a smack on the wrist or a pat on the back, I love it.”

*****

At 28, it’s hard to call Nathan Ellis one of Australia’s next generation of white-ball stars, but there is a sense of inevitability that he will have a big role to play across the next World Cup cycles.

The bowling all-rounder has emerged as a talent in all formats of the game, but particularly in T20 cricket where his variety with the ball in-hand has seen him recruited for domestic competitions around the world.

Ellis’ emergence is a shining light for the importance of the Big Bash in developing local T20 talent and encouraging a new way of bowling that his Tasmanian teammate Peter Siddle has seen up close.

“I think [T20] is where he got his first opportunity and that’s how he came into the game,” Siddle tells CODE Sports.

“He started the game late around the state cricket stuff and he got his opportunity in the Big Bash so that was his way in – and he’s since developed into a nice player in one-day cricket and red ball.

“It’s been unbelievable to watch and follow, especially since I’ve been down in Tassie the last three seasons. To see him go about his business, how he trains and works.

“Nath is a bit of an exception to the norm, and there’s going to be more like him no doubt over the coming years.”

Ellis’ variations are what set him apart. He can easily hit speeds of 150km/h, execute a perfect yorker or leave batters dumbfounded with deceptive slower balls.

Developing his game through the Big Bash environment has meant those deliveries have become second nature.

“Nathan’s renowned for his back of the hand slower ball and the straight yorkers,” says Sydney Sixers batter Josh Philippe.

“He’s very skilful, bowls good pace as well. He’s skiddy and has some really good slower balls. He’s tough and he doesn’t miss too often.”

Siddle adds: “His skill-set is unbelievable and his execution is amazing. Hence why he’s one of the best in the world at bowling at any stage of the game.”

With that bag of tricks comes an aura of confidence.

Sure, he knows the odd misplaced delivery will be hit back over his head. But more often than not, he gets to be the hero who gets his team over the line.

And that was evident as he held his nerve to bowl the final over as Hampshire won the T20 Blast this year – even if a no-ball from his final delivery caused a slight bit of panic.

“I just try and stay as calm as I can, and take solace in the fact that it’s me vs. him, and whoever executes better more often than not comes out on top,” Ellis says.

“When you’re at the top of your mark, all the cricket you’ve played, all the balls you’ve bowled, it doesn’t really matter.

“I think about [bowling the final over] a lot, and it gets my juices flowing. But in the moment, almost everything is gone.

“I’m a bit auto-piloty, I have a theory that I’m not smart enough to comprehend what’s actually happening.”

*****

Ellis still finds himself taking a moment to comprehend what he has achieved in his career already.

He has played three ODIs and five T20Is for Australia – the aforementioned hat-trick against Bangladesh on his debut in Mirpur last August a clear highlight.

“Sometimes I lie in bed and can’t really fathom the fact that I play for Australia,” he admits.

“I’ve been fortunate to be on the fringes and have some experiences like the travelling reserve for the World Cup in the UAE and had some opportunities in Bangladesh, Perth and in Pakistan.”

As Australia fell in the group stages of the most recent T20 World Cup, Ellis has been touted as one of the names to rejuvenate their fast bowling stocks.

The renewed focus on picking T20 specialist players on domestic form – Tim David the most pertinent example – places Ellis at the front of the queue. A T20I bowling average of 8.53 doesn’t hurt either.

“I think he’s probably the fast bowler that is probably the most ready to step up and take over the mantle of being in the Aussie white-ball team, especially the T20 side,” Siddle says.

“I’ve got no doubt when he does get those Australian colours on we’ve already seen a bit of it, that he can be an absolute star in the world game.”

But Ellis is happy to bide his time, taking solace in the fact that the only reason he hasn’t played more for his country is because of the talent in front of him.

“Domestic form is obviously great … but I also think that there needs to be an element of the blokes who have played for a long time and have a lot of credits in the bank,” he says.

“When those conversations arise, there’s no bitterness from me. I still think they’re the big three quicks and I honestly think they’re on another planet.

“Hopefully I can put some good performances together but what will be will be.”

*****

Ellis’ Big Bash season with Hobart will commence on Friday night against the Stars on Australia’s biggest stage: The MCG.

Now in his fourth BBL season, it’s a perfect opportunity for Ellis to cement his position as one of the country’s best white-ball bowlers. But he has also been given the extra responsibility of being the Hurricanes’ vice-captain, along with Ben McDermott.

“It’s my first time in a leadership role,” he told reporters on Thursday. “I still feel new to the game myself and I’m still learning, but I’m excited to pass on some of the things I’ve learned and experiences I’ve had.”

There is genuine excitement in Tasmania around the strength of Hobart’s squad. They are one of only two sides along with the Melbourne Stars to have never won the Big Bash.

With hometown hero Ricky Ponting signing on as their head of strategy and an influx of international talent headlined by Pakistan all-round Shadab Khan, Ellis is buoyed by what lies ahead.

“As a child [Ricky Ponting] was a hero of mine, so to have him around the group and cast an eye over our net sessions is going to be very exciting,” Ellis says.

“We’ve built for a few years now and fallen at the final hurdle a couple more times than we would have liked.

“But we’re at the point now where we’ve got a good mix of older, experienced heads. Some people who have had a bit of a taste of international cricket now and some people who are touted and on the fringes.

“I feel like it has built for a few years, and this is our year.”