Nathan Ellis is an Australian international cricketer best known for his exceptional death bowling and calm temperament under pressure. A right-arm fast bowler, Ellis has built his career largely in white-ball cricket and has become a dependable option for Australia in limited-overs formats.
He made global headlines in August 2021 by becoming the first cricketer in history to take a hat-trick on T20I debut, a moment that instantly placed him in the record books and kick-started his international journey.
Nathan Ellis Early Life and Domestic Career Journey
Nathan Ellis was raised in Sydney and played New South Wales Premier Cricket, where he took an impressive 160 wickets across four seasons. Despite consistent performances, opportunities at the state level were limited, prompting a bold decision that would define his career.
In 2017, Ellis moved to Hobart at the age of 22 in search of better cricketing opportunities. With no contract and no financial security, he started from scratch in Tasmania. His perseverance paid off when he made his Big Bash League debut for the Hobart Hurricanes in 2018, quickly earning a reputation as a specialist death bowler with sharp yorkers and deceptive slower deliveries.
Ellis made his first-class debut for Tasmania in February 2020, further cementing his place in the domestic setup.
Nathan Ellis Records and Achievements
Ellis made his T20 debut for Hobart Hurricanes on 5 October 2018, followed by his List A debut for Tasmania on 23 September 2019 and his first-class debut on 24 February 2020.
His international breakthrough came on 6 August 2021, when he made his T20I debut for Australia against Bangladesh. In a historic performance, he claimed a hat-trick, becoming the first player ever to achieve the feat on T20I debut and the third Australian overall to take a T20I hat-trick.
Ellis made his ODI debut on 29 March 2022 against Pakistan. Later that year, he was bought by Punjab Kings at the IPL 2022 auction and retained for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. During the 2023 IPL, he picked up 13 wickets in 10 matches, with best figures of 4/30.
Before BBL|13, Ellis was appointed captain of Hobart Hurricanes and went on to lead the side to the BBL|14 title in January 2025, marking a major milestone in his leadership journey.
Nathan Ellis Career Stats
Bowling Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | 4W | 5W |
| ODIs | 17 | 18 | 2/13 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 35 | 54 | 4/12 | 2 | 0 |
| First-Class | 10 | 42 | 6/43 | 1 | 2 |
Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | 50s | 100s |
| ODIs | 17 | 106 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 35 | 39 | 0 | 0 |
| First-Class | 10 | 205 | 0 | 0 |
Nathan Ellis Personal Life and Struggles
Nathan Ellis’s rise to international cricket was far from smooth. After moving from New South Wales to Tasmania, he lived independently for the first time and struggled financially while trying to keep his cricketing dream alive.
To make ends meet, Ellis worked five to six different jobs, including landscaping, furniture removal, furnishing, and construction work. He often had to quit jobs because work schedules clashed with training sessions or match days. His daily routine involved early gym sessions followed by long work shifts before evening cricket practice.
Despite strong performances in grade cricket, selection for Tasmania didn’t come immediately. After two seasons without a call-up, Ellis seriously considered quitting cricket and returning home, as he was neither saving money nor progressing professionally.
A crucial intervention from Tasmania coach Adam Griffith changed everything. Griffith convinced Ellis to stay for one more season and train with the squad during pre-season. That decision proved career-defining, as Ellis soon earned his state debut and later secured a Big Bash League contract.
Nathan Ellis Cricket Australia Contract Details
Nathan Ellis was awarded a central contract by Cricket Australia for the 2024–25 season. He was included in the 23-player men’s contract list announced on 28 March 2024, ahead of a major home season that included a high-profile Test series against India.
Interestingly, Ellis was not initially offered a contract for the 2023–24 season but earned an in-season upgrade through consistent performances on Australia’s ODI and T20I tours. The contract reflects Cricket Australia’s growing trust in him as a key white-ball bowler.
FAQs
Q. When did Nathan Ellis make his T20I debut for Australia?
A. Nathan Ellis made his T20I debut on 6 August 2021 against Bangladesh.
Q. When did Nathan Ellis make his ODI debut?
A. He made his ODI debut on 29 March 2022 against Pakistan.
Q. Which IPL team signed Nathan Ellis in 2022?
A. Nathan Ellis was bought by Punjab Kings in the 2022 IPL auction.
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