IPL 2019: Matt Kelly, the ‘yorker specialist’ is KKR’s newest recruit in action

Recently, the official Twitter account of the Big Bash League shared a video of a compilation of the best yorkers bowled by Matt Kelly.

Published - 14 Apr 2019, 17:05 IST | Updated - 14 Apr 2019, 17:05 IST

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The Kolkata Knight Riders have been plagued with injuries to their fast bowlers in the ongoing IPL 2019. Even before the tournament began, their two young Indian bowlers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti were ruled out of the entire season due to stress fracture in the back and heel injury respectively.

The KKR had also invested in the Proteas’ new fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who recently made his debut for South Africa, but Nortje too was injured and decided to pass on the IPL 2019 in order to get fit for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. This left the KKR team management with a very thin lineup of fast bowlers to choose from. M Prasidh Krishna is their only true fast bowler who touches speeds of over 145 kmph.

But they now have called upon uncapped Australian paceman Matt Kelly, who recently made his name playing for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League 2018-19. The 24-year-old Kelly has played 16 First-Class matches, five List A games, and 12 T20s so far.

The Yorker Specialist

Kelly impressed in the seven matches he played in the BBL, taking 11 wickets with an economy rate of 7.74. What was more eye-catching for the Kolkata Knight Riders management was his ability to bowl yorkers at the death. “I think with the budget we had and the kind of options we had, we felt Matt Kelly fit the bill, “Knight Riders mentor Abhishek Nayar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

“He hits hard lengths, has bowled very well in the BBL in death overs. He also contributes with the bat. So we felt like when we invested in someone like Harry Gurney it was more about seeing the kind of skills he has that adds to the team, which is one of the reasons why we shortlisted Matt Kelly.” Nayar had added further.

Recently, the official Twitter account of the Big Bash League shared a video of a compilation of the best yorkers bowled by Matt Kelly during his recent BBL stint and it underlines why KKR opted for him to replace Nortje.