Meredith hopeful of extended run with 'unreal' teammate

The unfortunate reality for Tasmania's exciting pace duo Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis is that they've almost replaced each other in teams more times than they've played together over the past 12 months.

Such has been the dreadful run of injuries for the Hurricanes and Tigers teammates over this period that bowling in tandem has been short-lived.

Ellis replaced Meredith in London Spirit's squad for this year's Hundred competition after his teammate suffered a hamstring tendon injury, as he also did at the Punjab Kings in the second half of last year's Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE.

Meredith then effectively replaced Ellis on his return from another hamstring injury in last season's KFC BBL when a side strain ruled Ellis out of the Hurricanes' last seven matches of the tournament.

In the five matches they did manage to play together in BBL|11, they captured 15 wickets between them to underline the threat they possess.

The two mates haven't seen each other in the last six months; while Ellis has been turning in impressive performances in England's T20 Blast and Hundred that have him on the cusp of World Cup selection, Meredith has been trapped rehabbing yet another "annoying" injury.

It's meant the 26-year-old quick couldn't capitalise on the form he built up over this year's IPL where he collected eight wickets in eight appearances for the Mumbai Indians.

Meredith said his latest recovery from a hamstring tendon strain was a slow process (about eight weeks), but was hopeful of being fit by the time the domestic season kicks off in late September with the Tigers' first assignment a Marsh One-Day Cup match against South Australia at Allan Border Field on September 28.

The right-armer has watched on while his slightly older state teammate in Ellis, 27, firstly bowled Hampshire to victory in a thrilling T20 Blast final at Edgbaston before continuing his impressive form with 3-28 in the Spirit's opening game of the Hundred.

"His last few months have been unreal," Meredith told cricket.com.au at a BBL|12 Draft launch event on Monday.

"He didn't get much game time in the IPL (for Punjab Kings), which is a bit disappointing, but he's been over in England and performed really well.

"I'm disappointed to be missing out, it's a great tournament over there and Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) said it's a lot of fun.

"I'm looking forward to getting through a whole season of the Big Bash (with Ellis) and it's going to be really exciting.

"The rehab is going well, just a slow (process) as I strained the hamstring tendon a bit so it's probably looking like eight weeks ... fingers crossed I should be right for the first game of our domestic season."

Despite a frustrating run of injuries where another hamstring kept him out of the first few weeks of BBL|11, and subsequent side strain meant he didn't play for Tasmania after the season concluded, Meredith said he hasn't needed to make too many technical adjustments to try and keep himself on the park.

"I haven't changed too much in the action, most of my injuries have been non-bowling related which is a bit annoying," he said.

"I'm trying to stay consistent and just really prep up that recovery and get on top of that so fingers crossed we can get back on the park and stay there for a bit."

The Hurricanes hold the eighth pick in Sunday's inaugural BBL Draft with Meredith hinting they might be eyeing an allrounder with their selections and a 'finisher' to partner Tim David.

The BBL|12 Draft will be held on Sunday, August 28 and broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports following the first ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe in Townsville.

Click here for a full list of players to have nominated for the BBL|12 Draft.