Nathan Ellis’ road from charity door knocker to key Aussie cog at T20 World Cup

Nathan Ellis has been everything from a construction labourer to a charity door knocker. Now, he’s becoming an increasingly important man in Australia’s quest to win the T20 World Cup, writes BEN HORNE.

Nathan Ellis used to door knock for the World Wildlife Fund as a means of making ends meet as a battling club cricketer.

Now he is achieving a dream even rarer than some of the animals he was saving – infiltrating Australia’s ‘big three’ fast bowling attack at a World Cup.

Few players have dug deeper to reach a World Cup than Ellis who toiled away as a construction labourer, landscape labourer and charity fundraiser when he moved from Sydney to Tasmania to try his luck breaking through the club cricket ranks in Hobart.

“The greatest day I had was when I signed my first (Tasmanian State) contract and I could quit. It’s crazy to think now,” Ellis said.

The 29 year-old who originally hails from Steve Smith territory in Menai in southern Sydney, has already played two out of Australia’s three World Cup group games so far, and is every chance of being turned to at the business end of the tournament given the hectic demands of the schedule.

Nathan Ellis has featured in two of Australia’s three T20 World Cup matches so far. Picture: Randy Brooks/AFP

As the man on the fringes of the almost impenetrable ‘big three’ of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, Ellis is in the unenviable position of often going to sleep on match eve not knowing if he’s going to play the next day or not.

But from a background where nothing was ever guaranteed, and Ellis had to work odd jobs just to pay the bills and keep his cricketing ambitions alive – he is proud of where his resilience and fighting instincts have got him.

“It can be tricky but I’ve gotten a lot better at going to bed the night before, preparing to play and then not playing – and vice versa,” Ellis said.

“It’s a crazy schedule, who knows. I might play more games than I think – if I do I’ll be ready.

“… Some of the different jobs, you name it, I’ve done it.

“It was anything that could let me be free on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at 4pm for training.

“Obviously at the time it was potentially a bit of a struggle but now I look back really fondly on those times and I think it helps me with a bit of perspective when I’m away on tour and things are a little harder, it gives me perspective on where I’ve come from and what it was like.

“I always try to give myself a little bit of a reality check every now and then because it’s easy at times to get wrapped up in the pressures and the whole experience. It’s not easy to reflect and give yourself perspective.

“You stand out there arm in arm and sing the national anthem – it’s a pretty special moment.

“You get your phone back and you see all the messages from your friends and family.

“It’s really cool and it’s such an honour and I just love it.”

Nathan Ellis has served as more than capable cover for the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins at the T20 World Cup. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Ellis’ one shortcoming in the race to be a first-choice member of the attack is his lack of experience bowling with the new ball in the power play.

However, the big strength he brings to the table is his ability as a death bowling specialist.

Ellis is under no illusions that he sits behind Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood in the pecking order, and says having a flexible and confident mindset is the key to him making an impact at the business end of the World Cup, if called upon.

“My mindset is just be ready to go and try to do your best whenever you get the opportunity,” Ellis said.

“Tournament cricket like this with some late nights and some early travel days is going to throw some challenges up physically.

“I’ve just got to be ready to go.

“I’ve said it all along that playing alongside these guys is a big honour.

“I’m here to just fit in and be in partnerships with these guys and if I’m selected I’ll do my best to keep my spot in the team.

“In the same breath, I’m here to win a World Cup with this squad.

“Whether they need me to bowl the first over or the last over, or they need me to open the batting, I’ll do it – whatever it takes to be in the team.

“The big three have done a lot for Australia over the years and that’s got to be respected.”

Originally published as Nathan Ellis’ road from charity door knocker to key Aussie cog at T20 World Cup