Australia dealt Nathan Ellis injury scare ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

With the T20 World Cup 2026 fast approaching, the Australian cricket team has been dealt another injury concern after fast bowler Nathan Ellis suffered a hamstring injury during the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).

The 31-year-old Nathan Ellis, captain of the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, underwent scans on Friday morning and was subsequently ruled out of his side’s knockout clash against the Sydney Sixers, which they lost by 57 runs.

"Hobart Hurricanes can confirm that skipper Nathan Ellis will miss the remainder of the BBL season and the BBL15 finals due to hamstring tightness," the Hobart Hurricanes said in a statement on Friday.

"Ellis, who missed the Knockout on Wednesday night, was aiming to return for the final two matches of the BBL finals but was unfortunately unable to overcome the injury."

Ellis enjoyed a strong BBL 2025-26 campaign, finishing as one of Hobart’s key performers with 14 wickets from nine matches at an economy rate of 9.03.

The right-arm pacer is part of Australia’s provisional squad for the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

A member of Australia’s title-winning side in 2021, Ellis has featured in 32 T20Is, claiming 50 wickets at an average of 17.72 and an economy rate of 7.86.

Australia are also keeping a close watch on the fitness of fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and finisher Tim David, all of whom are included in Australia’s provisional World Cup squad.

Cummins is set to miss Australia’s opening two T20 World Cup matches against Ireland and Zimbabwe next month. Hazlewood sat out the entire Ashes series due to Achilles and hamstring issues, while David remains under observation after sustaining a fresh hamstring injury during the BBL.

Ellis, David, Hazlewood and Cummins have all been rested for Australia’s upcoming three-match bilateral T20 series against Pakistan, starting January 29.

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