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Big Bash League: Opportunity-starved Perth Scorchers seamer Matt Kelly never thought of leaving

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Matthew Kelly of the Scorchers celebrates a wicket during the Big Bash League (BBL) cricket match between the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, January 18, 2020. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP
Camera IconMatthew Kelly of the Scorchers celebrates a wicket during the Big Bash League (BBL) cricket match between the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, January 18, 2020. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP Credit: MICHAEL DODGE/AAPIMAGE

The thought of leaving Perth Scorchers has never crossed Matt Kelly’s mind, even in the midst of last summer’s opportunity-less tournament.

The Scorchers seamer and close mate Joel Paris were the victims of a perfect storm last season with Australian trio Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye all coming back from long-term injuries at the same time.

Paris bowled one over in BBL10, during a rain-ruined clash against Melbourne Stars in Launceston when Behrendorff made a cross-country dash for the birth of his second child, but has since left for Hobart for further opportunities.

Kelly’s only time on the field was running out the drinks but he never considered following his Claremont-Nedlands teammate’s lead, wanting to re-pay the Scorchers’ faith for giving him his first chance.

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“I was really lucky when the Scorchers gave me a chance when guys weren’t around and they gave me a really good crack at it,” Kelly told The West Australian.

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“I was really grateful to be playing in WA and playing in front of home fans and family and friends.

“From my point of view I wouldn’t want to be playing anywhere else, I love playing in Perth and playing for the Scorchers.

“I grew up watching the Scorchers and I’m still contracted anyway so I didn’t think about that.”

The 27-year-old should get some early opportunities to impress this time around with Richardson likely to miss the entire tournament with Ashes duties and new import Tymal Mills will be restricted to one of the first four games due to quarantine and WA’s strict border restrictions.

Even when the big guns are back, Kelly is determined to fight for his spot in the XI.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Matthew Kelly of the Scorchers celebrates after taking the wicket of Sam Harper of the Renegades during the Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Melbourne Renegades at Optus Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Camera IconMatt Kelly has been known for knocking the stumps over of opposition batters. Credit: Will Russell - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Imag

“Hopefully this year there’s some opportunities at the start of the tournament,” Kelly said.

“Everyone’s role was so different in 2020 so for me, if I can just play well early and put the right foot forward I can push my case for a few more games throughout.

“At the start of my career, I didn’t really get challenged in terms of selection.

“It kind of fell in my lap with injuries and guys playing for Australia and things like that.

“Now this is my chance to fight my way into a team that’s really strong so it’s an exciting opportunity for me and hopefully over this year and next year I can really do that and have an impact.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 03: Matthew Kelly of the Scorchers bowls during the Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Camera IconMatt Kelly struggled to get a game last season because of the availability of a number of seamers. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Only 13 players are available for the Scorchers’ tournament-opening clash against Brisbane at Optus Stadium on Wednesday night with Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis on Australia ‘A’ duties, Richardson in Brisbane ahead of the first Ashes Test and young guns Lance Morris (side strain) and Cooper Connolly (finger) on their way back from injury.

English batting import Laurie Evans, returning New Zealander Colin Munro and New South Welshman Kurtis Patterson touched down in Perth from Sydney on Tuesday but won’t link up with the squad for the first time until game day.

Brisbane named an unchanged 14-player squad from their loss to Sydney Thunder in Canberra on Monday which includes WA-contracted pacemen Liam Guthrie and Cameron Gannon.

Guthrie made his BBL debut for the Heat on Monday, taking 2-32, while Gannon was an unused X-Factor substitute.

Scorchers v Heat: Wednesday, 6.35pm at Optus Stadium

Scorchers squad: Cameron Bancroft (wk), Colin Munro, Laurie Evans, Ashton Turner (c), Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Aaron Hardie, Andrew Tye, Matthew Kelly, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou, David Moody, Kurtis Patterson.

Heat squad: Jimmy Peirson (c/wk), Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Max Bryant, Tom Cooper, Ben Duckett, Cameron Gannon, Liam Guthrie, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Chris Lynn, Nathan McSweeney, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jack Wildermuth.

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