Hobart Hurricanes will be without skipper Nathan Ellis for their upcoming BBL Knockout clash against Melbourne Stars due to an injury sustained during their match with Brisbane Heat. The extent of Ellis’s injury remains undisclosed, and his availability for the rest of the finals series will be evaluated in the following days.
The Hurricanes announced two changes to their squad for the Knockout match, with Nathan Ellis ruled out due to his injury. The team faces potential elimination if they fail to defeat the Stars on Wednesday, but a victory or a rain-affected outcome could secure their spot in the Challenger final on Friday.
In addition to Ellis, Rehan Ahmed and Jake Weatherald will also be unavailable for the Hurricanes. Rehan Ahmed has joined England’s World Cup squad, leading to his absence from the BBL|15 Finals, while Jake Weatherald will also not feature in the upcoming matches.
Ben McDermott will step in as the Hurricanes’ captain in Nathan Ellis’s absence. The team’s recent loss to Brisbane Heat, despite a strong chase, cost them the opportunity to host the Qualifier final. Meanwhile, Australia’s selectors have decided to rest Ellis and Glenn Maxwell for the T20I series in Pakistan as part of their preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
