Uncapped Aussie quick earns IPL deal

Young Perth Scorchers quick Matt Kelly has earned a shock contract in the Indian Premier League, signed as a replacement player by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

The 24-year-old, who was lauded for his brilliant death bowling for the Scorchers this season, replaces injured South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje in the Kolkata squad.

KKR’s assistant coach is fellow Western Australian and former Scorchers player Simon Katich, who was clearly impressed enough by Kelly’s performances in the BBL to convince head coach Jacques Kallis that he was worth signing for the rest of the season.

The right-armer has played just 12 senior T20 matches, seven of which came during BBL|08, where he took 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.74.

Where Kelly impressed the most in the Big Bash was bowling at the death, his ability to execute fast and accurate yorkers in the late overs clearly impressing the KKR coaching staff.

He also impressed World Cup winner and former national selector Mark Waugh, who this week suggested Kelly should be in the mix for Australia's World Cup squad.

“I’ve got one bolter from Western Australia, Matt Kelly, who no one’s spoken about,” Waugh told Big Sports Breakfast radio program.

“One thing we do lack slightly is a really good death bowler — a guy who can bowl yorkers at the end of the innings and he’s really good at that.

“He played for the Scorchers and WA. He’s a bit of a smoky but I’d have him the mix.”

Kelly will join superstar players like Andre Russell and Chris Lynn at the Knight Riders, who currently sit second on the ladder.

Kelly also has 54 wickets in 16 JLT Sheffield Shield matches for WA, including figures of 6-67 against South Australia last month.