The Press, Christchurch
28 November 2002
28 November 2002
The Press
New Canterbury cricket all-rounder Andrew Ellis promises that an armguard is a permanent part of his playing equipment at the crease these days.
That is after Ellis broke his arm in a club cricket game just before Christmas last year – only days after being promoted into the Canterbury squad of 13.
Now the delighted 20-year-old has been offered a Canterbury contract and is also part of the 12 to play Otago in the State Championship match beginning in Dunedin tomorrow, and he will be taking things extra carefully.
"I'm wearing an armguard now, full time. If I had been wearing one of them it wouldn't have happened," he said yesterday.
Ellis joked he was making a point of keeping his eye on the ball.
The broken left forearm kept him out of cricket for six to seven weeks, but he is philosophical now about the unfortunate timing.
"It seems a long time ago now, but I guess it's life's swings and roundabouts."
Ellis said that what he was missing only started to sink in when January came round and the representative cricket was being played. "Everyone was in there and I was sitting back just watching it.
"But I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and I'm back stronger from it".
His inclusion in the Canterbury squad was definitely unexpected.
"A couple of weeks ago when I saw the New Zealand players there, I thought there was little to no chance of seeing Andrew Ellis there... but things have transpired for me."
Ellis did admit, though, to having mixed emotions about his selection with his East Christchurch-Shirley opening bowling partner, Ryan Burson, being left out.
"I feel very sorry for Ryan. He's a good friend of mine at East-Shirley and I've learnt a lot from him over the past few years," he said.
"For him to miss out is obviously a bitter-sweet feeling," he said.
A strongly built, medium-fast bowler at 1.88m and 92kg, Ellis says that trying to bounce the ball is very much part of his armoury.
"I'm not as quick as some around, but I try to use my height and bounce the ball. And I'm trying to get a couple more yards of pace."
At the end of last summer he was part of the East team which shared the national club title, taking 13 wickets in the tournament at only 11.38.
Ellis classes himself as an all-rounder, although the strength of the East-Shirley line-up meant his chances with the bat had been restricted.
"Yeah, I definitely think my batting is just as good as my bowling, and hopefully in the next couple of seasons I'll get a few more chances to show what I've got."
A third-year student at Lincoln University, he has only one paper left in his Bachelor of Commerce Management degree. Also a good soccer player, Ellis plays as a central defender for Rangers in the Fed Six, although he likes to get forward and score the odd goal.