Bracewell goes casual, Kelly on full contract
Black Caps white-ball allrounder Michael Bracewell will shift to a casual contract with NZC for the 2026-27 season, to pursue an opportunity in the Australian Big Bash League.
The 35-year-old will be replaced on the central contract list by Northern Districts batter and former Wellington Firebirds captain Nick Kelly, who earns his first national contract eleven years after making his First Class debut.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Kelly, who debuted for New Zealand in March 2025, has 15 international caps (8 ODI, 7 T20I) to his name, including two matches as T20I captain when he filled in for the injured Tom Latham in Bangladesh earlier this year.
Bracewell said he was grateful to remain available for his country and was looking forward to facing India later this month in the five-game T20I Series.
“The backing from New Zealand Cricket for me to take this opportunity at this stage of my career means a lot,” he said.
“As a white-ball only player, this felt like too good of an opportunity to pass up. I’m still very much committed to the Black Caps and can’t wait to be involved in the upcoming India tour and future white-ball series.
“I’ve also got my eyes firmly fixed on the opportunity to be involved in the inaugural NZ20 which is set to be introduced from next summer."
The left-handed Kelly comes onto the central contract list at the age of 33, having recently returned from a county stint with Leicestershire where he contributed 950 runs across all formats, including his sixth List A century in the Metro Bank One Day Cup final against Middlesex.
Black Caps Head Coach Rob Walter, who coached Kelly for two seasons at Otago, said it was pleasing to be able to reward him with his first central contract.
“Nick’s been a standout performer in domestic cricket for several seasons now and it’s testament to his hard work that he’s earned this first contract at this stage of his career," he said.
“Introducing players like Nick to international cricket a bit later certainly has its advantages in terms of the player knowing their game and being able to trust themselves to perform under pressure.”
Walter said that Kelly, who has scored three half-centuries in his last four ODIs, deserved his opportunity.
“Nick stuck his hand up with his performances against Bangladesh and the West Indies in what was at times challenging batting conditions.
“He has more than 300 professional matches under his belt and is one of the best fielders in the country, so he adds a lot to our contracted group.”
Bracewell joins Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, and Tim Seifert, as the other casually contracted players for the 2026-27 season
