Last Updated on 27 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell will shift to a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the 2026-27 season, enabling him to look for a role in the Australian Big Bash League (BBL). However, despite no longer being on the central contract list, Bracewell will still be available for New Zealand in international cricket.
The 35-year-old joins Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert as one of New Zealand’s contracted players on a casual basis. Northern Districts batsman Nick Kelly has been elevated to the central contract list in place of Bracewell; his first national contract 11 years after making his first class debut.
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Michael Bracewell remains loyal to New Zealand as Nick Kelly gets his first contract
“I’m still committed to the Blackcaps, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming five-match T20I series against India,” said Bracewell in a statement.
“The support from New Zealand Cricket to take this opportunity at this stage of my career means a lot. This looked like too good an opportunity to turn down as a white-ball only player.
Now Bracewell will have an opportunity to chase the BBL while being available for New Zealand when needed. He is also keen to be part of the first ever NZ20 competition to be played next summer.
“I’m still very committed to the Blackcaps and looking forward to being involved in the upcoming India tour and future white-ball series. I’ve also got my eyes firmly on the opportunity to be involved in the inaugural NZ20 which is to be introduced from next summer.”
Kelly, 33, has won his first New Zealand contract after making his international debut in March 2025. He has since played in eight ODIs and seven T20Is for his country. Kelly also captained New Zealand in two T20Is earlier this year against Bangladesh when Tom Latham was ruled out due to injury.
The batter averaged nearly 40 across formats during his recent spell for Leicestershire, aggregating 950 runs. He also registered his sixth List A hundred in the final of the One Day Cup against Middlesex.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter, who worked with Kelly during his two seasons at Otago, said the batter had earned his place through his performances in domestic cricket.
“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,” Walter 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 has been impressed by Kelly’s experience and also by his three fifties in his last four ODIs. The New Zealand coach believes his record in domestic cricket and his fielding ability will add to the squad.
“Nick stuck his hand up with his performances against Bangladesh and the West Indies in what was at times challenging batting conditions,” he said.
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