Elworthy grew up in Zimbabwe, attending Chaplin High School, before moving to South Africa when he was 18.

After 10 years of playing first class cricket Elworthy made his One Day International (ODI) debut at age 32 for South Africa on April 3, 1998, against Pakistan.

He departed amicably from the Northerns squad in 2003,[2] effectively marking his retirement as a professional player.

This was a difficult year with modest on-field success (26 wickets at 41), capped by being dropped on the morning of the B&H Cup Final.

In February 2010 Elworthy was appointed as Director of Marketing and Communications for the England and Wales Cricket Board.