An unnamed franchise of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) has reportedly roped in Australian pacer Nathan Ellis for the remainder of season 14, which will resume in the UAE from September 19.
With less than a month from its resumption, the eight franchises are likely to finalise their squad soon as overseas players’ availability will remain an issue before them.
According to a report in cricket.com.au, 26-year-old Ellis was chased by a total of three franchises for the second leg of the 14th season and on Thursday night, he signed a deal with one of them.
Although the name of the franchise hasn’t been revealed yet, Cricket Australia (CA) is likely to finalise the player’s association with the team soon.
Earlier during the IPL auction, mome of the franchise showed any interest for Ellis.
However, Ellis hogged limelight in the just concluded Bangladesh T20I series after he had bagged a hat-trick on his debut against the Bangla Tigers in Dhaka.
Moreover, the 26-year-old had also earned himself a spot in CA’s 3-man reserve list for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the UAE after the IPL.
Significatly, Ellis is not the only replacement player, who will join an IPL franchise for the remainder of the 14th season as many cricketers are likley to miss the remainder of the tournament.
As per reports, Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith are likely to miss the second leg of the 14th season and so, few other players are set to be roped in by the franchises.