Re-signing with Hobart for upcoming Big Bash season was a “no-brainer” for emerging pair

Rival sides sniffed around hoping to lure an exciting young duo away from the Hurricanes but both Nathan Ellis and Mac Wright had no intention of playing their T20 cricket anywhere else

The Hobart Hurricanes players Mac Wright and Nathan Ellis with students from Corpus Christi Catholic School Huey Brasnja, 6 and Halle Steele, 6. Picture: Zak Simmonds

• Tigers look to implement the Wright stuff
• From rookie to rising star, Hobart has no plans of letting Ellis go

THE Hurricanes have locked away a pair of its most exciting young talents for this year’s BBL.

Last summer’s sensation Nathan Ellis and top order find Mac Wright both declared staying in purple as a “no-brainer” after re-signing with Hobart.

Ellis rocketed into stardom with his ability to close out bowling innings’ at the death, finishing the tournament with 12 wickets and being just one of four players to feature in every match.

His calmness under pressure was highlighted with a match winning performance against the Melbourne Renegades to keep the team’s finals hopes alive, but he knows he will need to find more tricks for his second campaign.

“It happened really quickly for me and when things like that [interest from other sides] started coming up it was nipped in the bud pretty quick,” Ellis said while taking part in Cricket Tasmania’s Community Blitz at Corpus Christi.

Nathan Ellis of the Hobart Hurricanes celebrates the wicket of Michael Neser of the Adelaide Strikers during the Big Bash League match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Hobart Hurricanes at the Adelaide Oval on January 26, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/Getty Images)

“I have lived here in Tassie for four years now and I consider myself a Tasmanian and a Tiger and a Hurricane and I didn’t want to go anywhere else.

“It was a no-brainer for me.

“Last year I had nothing to lose, I came in and I was relatively unknown and now I have found my role and people have played against me, so that’s going to be the challenge in my second year.

“People know what you can do and what you’re trying to do, so keep coming up with new skills and tricks is the plan.”

Wright made his Big Bash debut against the Melbourne Stars in Moe, but was forced to bide his time until the back end of the tournament for another crack.

He made the most of his chance in the same Renegades match Ellis starred in at Docklands, top scoring with an unbeaten 70 from 50 balls, before backing up with 64 three days later.

Mac Wright of the Hurricanes plays a shot during the Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Thunder at Blundstone Arena on January 24, 2020 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

More opportunity could also be thrust on the 22-year-old this summer, with captain Matthew Wade and fellow opener D’Arcy Short potentially missing portions of the competition with national duties.

“I was really grateful last year to get the opportunity with the Hurricanes, so it was a no-brainer to sign on and repay some of the faith the Hurricanes showed with me.

“It is great to see those guys playing for Australia, one they deserve it and they have really shown how handy they can be for Australia, but it also helps me as well, it creates an opportunity for me.

“It was great getting a bit of exposure last year.”

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