Western Australian pace bowler Matt Kelly has been dealt another frustrating injury blow, with a fresh calf setback ruling him out of upcoming Sheffield Shield matches and delaying his return until the latter stages of the domestic season.
Injury Details and Timeline
The 31-year-old quick suffered the soft tissue injury two weeks ago during the Big Bash League campaign, where he did not feature in any matches for the Perth Scorchers on their path to a sixth BBL championship. This latest calf issue continues a troubling run of muscular problems for Kelly, who has previously battled quad and pectoral concerns over the past 18 to 24 months.
Western Australia cricket boss Kade Harvey provided an update on Kelly's situation, expressing cautious optimism about a potential late-season comeback. "He's up and about and he's doing all he can to return, so we're hopeful that he'll be bowling in the back-end of the shield season," Harvey told The West Australian. "His first four games were outstanding, he felt like a new recruit in some ways when he came back in because he's had his challenges over the last 18 months to two years."
Impact on Western Australian Teams
Kelly's absence creates a significant void in WA's bowling attack as the state prepares to return to domestic action. The Warriors are scheduled to face Tasmania at the WACA Ground next Thursday in a Sheffield Shield clash, followed by a one-day match against the Tigers on February 10.
Before his injury, Kelly had established himself as an integral component of Western Australia's domestic setup, featuring in four of WA's six Shield matches during the first part of the season along with two one-day appearances. His early-season form was particularly impressive, with the paceman emerging as the fourth-leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield competition after claiming five scalps against New South Wales and six against Tasmania in the opening rounds.
Contract Situation and Team Changes
The timing of Kelly's injury adds further complication to his professional circumstances, as the out-of-contract bowler becomes available to other clubs during the eight-day player movement window opening on Wednesday. His absence from the Scorchers' early BBL games came after managing a heavy workload at the start of the summer, with the emergence of young talent Mahli Beardman and the return of Jhye Richardson creating increased competition for bowling spots.
Western Australia faces additional selection challenges with several key players unavailable. Mitch Marsh has retired from first-class cricket following the final game of 2025, while Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly and Cam Green will be away on international duty. Beardman himself traveled to Lahore on Tuesday for Australia's Twenty20 series against Pakistan but will not remain for the subsequent World Cup, potentially positioning him for a first-class debut or return to the one-day side.
Positive News on the Injury Front
There is some encouraging injury news for WA, with wicketkeeper Joel Curtis expected to return for the upcoming clash against Tasmania. Curtis had been ruled out for the remainder of the BBL with a hand fracture, having remarkably made his Scorchers debut while carrying the injury before medical staff properly diagnosed the issue.
As Western Australia prepares for their critical domestic fixtures, the focus remains on managing Kelly's recovery carefully to ensure his eventual return can bolster their bowling stocks during the crucial final stages of the Sheffield Shield season.
