Nathan Ellis to miss Australia's UK tour with hamstring injury

With Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins rested, and Josh Hazlewood sustaining a niggle, a spot in Australia’s pace attack was up for grabs for someone like Nathan Ellis. Ahead of the Scotland series, Ellis got his hamstring injured and the mishap has forced him out of action for the Scotland tour. The Aussies are on a tour of United Kingdom for nine white-ball games, six of which are against England.  

Ellis will miss all of them as the pacer is still recuperating from a hamstring tendon injury caused during The Hundred playing for London Spirit. Cricket Australia notified that the pacer will take a flight home and continue his recovery process. It is worth noting that the New South Wales-born was to feature in the ODI series against England from September 19.  

Such has been the case with the 29-year-old as he had to wait for the opportunities when either Starc, Cummins, or Hazlewood were rested. However, the right-arm pacer featured in three igames for Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024 and picked four wickets. He has played 17 T20Is and eight ODIs, plucking 28 and 10 wickets respectively. 

There is good news for Australia as Hazlewood is expected to land in UK ahead of the first T20I against England at the Utilita Bowl. His arrival means Riley Meredith might be available for Somerset on T20 Blast Finals Day unless Australia name his as a cover. It is worth noting that the pacer played his first game for the national team since 2021. 

"[He] will join the squad in Southampton having recovered from a minor calf strain," a CA spokesperson said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.