Ellis ruled out of BBL finals

In a major setback for Hobart Hurricanes ahead of their Challenger match against Sydney Sixers, skipper Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the remainder of the Big Bash League 2025-26 due to a hamstring issue.

Ellis, who had already missed the rain-reduced three-run win over Melbourne Stars earlier in the week, had travelled to Sydney and was named in the Hurricanes' 14-player squad with hopes of featuring in the Challenger. However, the 31-year-old fast bowler was withdrawn just hours before the match at the SCG and has been replaced by batter Charlie Wakim.

"Hobart Hurricanes can confirm that skipper Nathan Ellis will miss the remainder of the BBL season and the BBL|15 finals due to hamstring tightness," the club said in a statement on Friday afternoon. "Ellis, who missed the Knockout on Wednesday night, was aiming to return for the final two matches of the BBL|15 finals but was unfortunately unable to overcome the injury."

Ben McDermott is set to continue as stand-in captain, having led the side against the Stars, while Billy Stanlake is expected to retain his place in the XI. The Hurricanes are also monitoring the fitness of Chris Jordan, who featured as a batter only in the Knockout due to an ankle complaint and the wet conditions in Hobart.

Ellis is a part of Australia's T20 World Cup squad and Cricket Australia added that they expect him to regain fitness ahead of the mega event.