T20 World Cup 2024: Tim Paine backs Nathan Ellis to be in Australia's first-choice attack

As Australia gear up for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, there is a strong case for the selectors to include the seasoned Nathan Ellis in their first-choice bowling attack. The 29-year-old has consistently impressed whenever given an opportunity.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine, who has seen Ellis up close at the domestic level, voiced his opinion to include him in the playing XI.

"I think Australia have a great opportunity, and I hope they take it in this World Cup, and that is to pick Nathan Ellis. He would be my third quick. I think he just complements the other guys well, he's got a different skillset, comes from a different angle, different height, and think some variety in the attack will be really important to win this World Cup," Paine said on ESPN's Around The Wicket.

While the star-studded trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood are undoubtedly world-class, Ellis' numbers across various phases of the innings are highly impressive. Since 2020, he has the second-best powerplay economy among Australia's World Cup squad behind Hazlewood. More remarkably, in the death overs, he has made his reputation as the most economical of Australia's quicks by a considerable margin.

"I know you are going to ask me straightaway who aren't you playing…I'm going to go Mitchell Starc, [he] is my out and out number one quick, I'm picking him, obviously going with Adam Zampa, and I'm doing to decide between Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins," he added.

Also read: Usman Khawaja backs Glenn Maxwell to come good at T20 World Cup 2024

His international record for the opportunities that he's been given is outstanding: Tim Paine

Paine acknowledged the quality of Cummins and Hazlewood but believes Ellis' skillset complements the attack perfectly in this bowling lineup.

"I'm going to pick one of them and I'm going to go with Nathan Ellis' all-round skills, his ability to bowl all through the powerplay, I think his slower balls, he's clever. His international record for the opportunities that he's been given is outstanding and I think now is the right time…that's not to say they [Cummins and Hazlewood] are not the best couple of bowlers in the country, they are outstanding bowlers and will continue to be, I just think Nathan Ellis complements the rest of that attack really, really well," he further added.

Also read: Hazlewood, Warner star in Australia's warm-up win over Namibia

One of Ellis' biggest assets is the variety he offers. Coming from a different angle and height, he can trouble batters with his clever variations and well-disguised slower balls. This variety could prove invaluable on West Indian pitches.

Before playing their first group league game, the Mitchell Marsh-led side will square off against West Indies in their second warm-up match on 30 May.