IPL 2021: Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith Ruled Out for Remainder of the tournament; Punjab Kings Announce Replacement

The cricket extravaganza, IPL 2021, is set to resume next month with a high octane clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in what will be the 30th match of the tournament. A total of 31 games, including the playoffs, will be played in second phase of the tournament with a summit clash set to be played on October 15. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah are the three venues that will host the remaining IPL 2021 matches.

Punjab Kings sign Nathan Ellis ahead of the second phase of IPL 2021 

With less than one month remaining for the second phase of IPL 2021, Punjab Kings have suffered a blow as the Australian pace duo of Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith will not take place in the remaining part of the marquee tournament.

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In the recent development, it is now learned that the KL Rahul-led franchise has named pacer Nathan Ellis as a replacement for one among the duo for the UAE leg of the tournament.

Confirming about the same, Punjab Kings CEO said that they were not aware of the Australian duo not taking part in the remainder of the cash-rich league. He further revealed that the franchise will name the second replacement in a couple of days.

“We were not aware of the fitness status of Jhye and Riley till yesterday (August 18). That they cannot be part of the IPL was known only after the Cricket Australia press conference. We have signed Ellis as a replacement player. We will announce the second replacement in a day or two,” PBKS CEO said.

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IPL 2021: Who is Nathan Ellis? 

Nathan Ellis is an Australian speedster who recently made his debut in the T20I series Bangladesh. The pacer had a memorable debut as he became the first cricketer in history to take a hat-trick on his T20I debut and also became only the third Aussie to take a T20I hat-trick after Brett Lee and spinner Ashton Agar.

Ellis has a decent T20 record as in 33 T20s the speedster has scalped 38 wickets at an average of just over 25. In the BBL the right-arm pacer has taken 32 wickets for Hobart Hurricanes at an 8.13. He can play a vital role for Punjab Kings along with the likes of Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Chris Jordan.

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