Australia bowler Nathan Ellis has signed with the Punjab Kings for the second half of IPL 2021. The BCCI announced the second phase schedule for IPL 2021 which will host by UAE from 19 September.
Nathan Ellis roped by Punjab Kings
In the likely absence of Richardson and Meredith, Ellis is set to provide the Kings vital cushion in the fast-bowling department.
Nathan ᴇʟʟ-ɪs a 👑
He’s the newest addition to #SaddaSquad for the second phase of #IPL2021! 😍#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/0hMuOJ19NU
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) August 20, 2021
According to cricket.com.au, the 26-year-old right-arm pacer was being chased by three IPL franchises and the final deal was subject to Cricket Australia’s approval. However, the Punjab Kings official confirmed the deal was done.
CA has cleared all the Australians for the IPL, subject to the individuals’ fitness and willingness, leaving the final decision to the players themselves.
Most players, barring vice-captain Pat Cummins who had announced his unavailability a couple of months ago, are expected to play in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021 for the very fact that the Twenty20 World Cup will take place at those very venues.
There could be a few more new signings for the season. There were 20 Australians in the tournament when it was suspended in May.
Ellis, 26, has capped a sensational 12 months, climbing from the fringes of Australian domestic cricket to a hat-trick on international debut against Bangladesh and gain selection as one of Australia’s three reserve players for the T20 World Cup.
Further, in the two matches that he played for his side, he claimed five wickets and returned with a noteworthy economy of 6.25.
IPL 2021 Second Phase – Punjab Kings Schedule
Match No. | Day | Date | Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
32 | Tuesday | 21-Sep-21 | 7:30 PM | PBKS vs RR | Dubai |
37 | Saturday | 25-Sep-21 | 7:30 PM | SRH vs PBKS | Sharjah |
42 | Tuesday | 28-Sep-21 | 7:30 PM | MI vs PBKS | Abu Dhabi |
45 | Friday | 01-Oct-21 | 7:30 PM | KKR vs PBKS | Dubai |
48 | Sunday | 03-Oct-21 | 3:30 PM | RCB vs PBKS | Sharjah |
53 | Thursday | 07-Oct-21 | 3:30 PM | CSK vs PBKS | Dubai |
Hazlewood, Marsh and Philippe had opted out of the first stage of the IPL tournament that was held in India but is eligible to return to the rescheduled closing stages, although it has not yet been confirmed if they will. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, and Ben Cutting are also among Australians in the IPL.