World Cup preparation starts now as Ellis aims to impress

Australia pacer Nathan Ellis is determined to do everything he can to win a spot in the Aussies' squad for next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Ellis is currently in Harare preparing for a three-game series against Zimbabwe that commences on Tuesday, while the right-armer will also take on South Africa across three ODI fixtures later this month as the Aussies amp up their title defence for the 2027 edition of the 50-over World Cup.

That tournament will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia and Ellis knows the importance of Australia's upcoming fixtures as the side gets used to the conditions teams will face at the 50-over showcase next year.

"As a team it's gathering information, getting what we can out of it," Ellis said.

"What works, what doesn't work. It's a great platform and gives us a big runway into the World Cup next year. 

"It's a great opportunity for us here. We've got six games to get what we can out of it, gather as much information and start putting that all together for the big tournament next year."

Ellis missed out on Australia's sixth 50-over World Cup title in 2023 due to injury, but has been a mainstay in the Aussies' white-ball setup ever since due to his ability to vary his pace and provide a threat with both the new-ball and at the death.

One of Ellis' 61 international appearances for Australia came against Zimbabwe at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the start of this year when they fell to a shock 23-run defeat in Colombo and the 31-year-old believes his side will be looking for some revenge when they take on the African side across this upcoming series.

"We've played them (Zimbabwe) a little bit now and I guess you could say we've built up a little bit of a rivalry," Ellis noted.

"They've had the wood over us more recently in the T20 World Cup so I'm excited to not only try and get a little bit of redemption but also start building towards the one day World Cup in a year or so time."

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins (South Africa only), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (South Africa only), Adam Zampa

Series schedule (v Zimbabwe):

First ODI: September 15, Harare 
Second ODI: September 18, Harare 
Third ODI: September 20, Harare

Series schedule (v South Africa):

First ODI: September 24, Durban
Second ODI: September 27, Johannesburg
Third ODI: September 30, Potchefstroom