When Nathan Ellis achieved an unprecedented debut T20I hat-trick for Australia, the last thing that the Tasmanian fast bowler would have expected is to be left out of the playing XI for the very next game. Despite a memorable start to his international career in Dhaka only a day before, Ellis was dropped by Australia […]
When Nathan Ellis achieved an unprecedented debut T20I hat-trick for Australia, the last thing that the Tasmanian fast bowler would have expected is to be left out of the playing XI for the very next game.
Despite a memorable start to his international career in Dhaka only a day before, Ellis was dropped by Australia for the penultimate game of the five-match T20I series in Bangladesh on Thursday (August 6).
The moment the toss ended with Bangladesh opting to bat first, Australia’s stand-in captain Matthew Wade confirmed two changes in his team’s playing XI from the last match. While Andrew Tye and Mitchell Swepson came into the side, Adam Zampa and Ellis were the ones to face the axing.
The latter of the two raised a lot of eyebrows, with immediate speculations whether the 26-year-old paceman has picked up any injury or niggle, for there could’ve not been any other reason not to retain him in the side after just one opportunity. But the question of injury was also ruled out the moment Ellis was named on Australia’s team sheet as the 12th man.
Nathan Ellis created history with hat-trick on T20I debut.
A few of the fans, however, thrown up light on the quality of Nathan Ellis’ spell on Wednesday (August 6) and even questioned whether his hat-trick was of value to Australia’s chances?
Ellis’ perfect trio came off the last three balls of the final over in the Bangladesh innings where he dismissed home team’s skipper Mahmudullah and lower-order men Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan.
But, while the three wickets and three dots had helped Australia restrict Bangladesh to a total of 127/9, the pacer had notably conceded 34 runs off his first 3.3 overs and ended, despite his hat-trick, as the most expensive Aussie bowler (minimum two overs) in a low-scoring game which the tourists lost by 10 runs.
It is an aspect of the bowler’s performance that some fans highlighted over Twitter. But some also pointed out that it is still unfair on Nathan Ellis to be sacked after just one game.
He had 0-34 off 3.3 overs, he was going at 10 an over on a run a ball pitch. Got out of trouble in the last three balls of the innings.
— jayjnr. (@puntfiend) August 7, 2021
So we kept the same batting order that failed to chase a score whilst only losing 4 wickets. But we dropped the guy who took a hat-trick.
Fair enough buds. Luckily it’s not broadcasting here, easy to avoid watching.
— Prequel (@PreqCricket) August 7, 2021
The hat-trick was three blokes trying to hit the ball out of the park, Ellis had bowled 0-34 from 3.3 overs before that.
— Greg Gardiner (@DudMcManus) August 7, 2021
What even is this selection? Dropping Ellis?
— Blade X (@blade_storm1) August 7, 2021
Congrats on the hattrick Nathan you’re dropped
— Dan (@DanielMcLean40) August 7, 2021
