Nathan Ellis should be utilised in Australia's first-choice attack to boost their chances of T20 World Cup success, according to former skipper Tim Paine.

Despite impressing in his 14 appearances, Ellis has struggled to establish a regular spot in Australia's T20 side - notably missing out on selection for the 2022 World Cup - while he only featured once for Punjab Kings during the 2024 Indian Premier League.

However, the 29-year-old boasts the second-best powerplay economy (7.08) in all T20s since 2020 within Australia's World Cup squad - behind only Josh Hazlewood (6.58) - while he comfortably boasts the strongest record at the death (overs 17 to 20) during that span (8.88)

Paine believes Mitchell Starc, who played a starring role in the Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL success, and Adam Zampa should lead his nation's attack, along with Ellis - ahead of the likes of Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

"I think Australia have a great opportunity, and I hope they take it in this World Cup, and that is to pick Nathan Ellis. He would be my third quick," he told ESPN.

"He's got a different skillset, comes from a different angle, different height, and I think some variety in the attack will be really important to win this World Cup.

"His international record for the opportunities that he's been given is outstanding, and I think now is the right time.

"That's not to say they [Cummins and Hazlewood] are not the best couple of bowlers in the country; they are outstanding bowlers, and will continue to be. I just think Nathan Ellis complements the rest of that attack really, really well."

Australia - winners of the tournament in 2021 - are drawn in Group B alongside England, Scotland, Oman and Namibia.