WA fast bowler Matt Kelly says he supports the new injury sub rule introduced this Sheffield Shield season after his side played down a bowler in the opener against New South Wales.

It comes after disaster struck for WA, with bowler Joel Paris benched with a hamstring injury after bowling just one over on day three. 

Cricket Australia is trialling the injury substitute rule at domestic level, with the aim of developing a proposal that could be implemented at Test level. 

The rule enables teams to replace an injured player until stumps on day two, and will be in play for the first five rounds of the 2025-26 Shield season. 

Although WA were unable to replace Paris under the new rule, Kelly says the rule would help keep the game at a high standard. 

“If someone goes down on the first day of a game, the whole game changes,” he said. 

“We only had two fast bowlers on a wicket that was doing a bit. You’ve got to adjust and that’s going to happen in cricket. We also want to see the best cricket being played, and we want the best players playing. 

“We want a high level of competition, so the last thing you want to see is someone get injured in the whole game changing because of that. 

“We’ll have to wait and see how it unfolds, when it happens, and what type of player comes in. 

“We just want the best players playing, and we want everyone to be fit and healthy playing on the field. I think that’s best for the game.”

With Paris struck down early in New South Wales’ second innings, Kelly, who played his first Shield game in over a year, took a crucial five-wicket haul to see the opposition restricted to 221 runs. 

His overall bowling figures were the second-best overall in the opening round, finishing on 2/55 and 5/43 across the two innings. 

Reflecting on his return to shield cricket, he says he felt confident, especially in the dryer conditions during the second inning. 

“I definitely felt good in that second inning, the first innings, the creases were a bit slippery and a bit difficult to get a strong grounding there where you’re bowling,” he says 

“I’m feeling good and confident in my body, which was a great thing. I’ve played a fair bit of cricket already, I went up to Darwin and played some cricket up there and then obviously played the first two One-Day. 

“For me, when I’m bowling a lot and playing games and feeling confident, you do get in a rhythm. I’m enjoying that, and hopefully that continues for a little while.”

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