Nathan Ellis Still Has a “Fresh Face” Feeling Even with his outstanding results, Nathan Ellis maintains his modesty and groundedness. Learn how the fast bowler from Australia came to view leadership and how his role within the team has changed as a result of his experiences.
Leading the Pace Attack: Ellis Steps Up as Senior Bowler
Australia’s 29-year-old right-arm fast bowler Nathan Ellis is preparing for a major turning point in his career in international cricket. Prior to Australia’s Twenty20 series against Scotland, Ellis was put unintentionally into the position of team captain and leading speed bowler. Ellis’ 17 T20 caps suddenly make him the senior member of a revamped Australian pace attack, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood all sidelined owing to workload management and injury concerns.
Riley Meredith, Xavier Bartlett, and Sean Abbott, three newcomers to Australia’s bowling roster, will be joining Ellis in the pace assault.
Nathan’s Reaction To His Leadership
Talking about his performance and him being the leader she said, “Honestly, I don’t even see myself like that, so to hear it just feels kind of weird. This was one of the series that I had earmarked for a long period of time knowing the schedule and the demand it would have on a lot of the guys. Any time I get the Aussie jersey on I’m pumped, so the longer I can keep wearing it the better.”
“The big positive of the Australian cricket team and the Australian environment at the moment is whether you’ve played 100 games or zero games, you come in and you’re really prompted to be yourself.
“Everyone’s very inclusive, calm, relaxed and happy so I think it speaks volumes of the environment that ‘Ronnie’ (head coach Andrew McDonald) and Mitch (Marsh) have put together. You’ve got fresh faces coming in and they’re calm and comfortable.
“I still feel like a fresh face, but I’ve been around a little bit now and I’m just really excited to keep putting on the Aussie jersey and playing with the (other) fresh faces now. Hopefully we form some new partnerships and combinations and throw our hats in the ring for future games and future tournaments. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m a leader, but if I can help in any way or make anyone feel more at home, I’ll do that for sure,” he further added.
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