New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell will shift to a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket for the 2026-27 season, a move that grants him the flexibility to compete in Australia’s Big Bash League. At 35, Bracewell joins a list of casually contracted players including Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, and Tim Seifert, while remaining fully available for national team selection. Bracewell, 35, will remain available for the New Zealand side despite moving off the central contract list.
Bracewell expressed appreciation for the board’s flexibility at this stage of his career, noting that the opportunity to play in the BBL was too significant to overlook as a white-ball specialist. He remains dedicated to the Blackcaps and is actively preparing for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India. Looking further ahead, he also signaled his intent to participate in the inaugural NZ20 competition scheduled for next summer. I’m still very much committed to the Blackcaps and can’t wait to be involved in the upcoming India tour and future white-ball series.
Replacing Bracewell on the central contract list is Northern Districts batter Nick Kelly. The 33-year-old earns his first national contract 11 years after his first-class debut. Kelly, who has over 300 professional matches under his belt, established his credentials with a productive stint at Leicestershire, accumulating 950 runs across all formats, including a century in the One Day Cup final against Middlesex. 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.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter praised the late-career inclusion of Kelly, citing his proven consistency in challenging environments. Having coached Kelly previously at Otago, Walter emphasized the benefit of selecting a player with such deep experience. According to Walter, Kelly demonstrated his capability during performances against Bangladesh and the West Indies, proving his ability to handle pressure.
Walter further noted that Kelly’s versatility as one of the country’s top fielders makes him a valuable asset to the contracted group. Kelly, who made his international debut in March 2025, has since participated in eight ODIs and seven T20Is. His recent form includes three fifties in his last four ODIs, a streak that reinforced the selection panel’s decision to offer him his first central agreement.
