Michael Bracewell opts for casual NZC contract for 2026-27

For the 2026-27 season, Michael Bracewell will sign a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, giving the all-rounder a chance to play in the Australian Big Bash League. As casually contracted players in New Zealand, Bracewell joins Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, and Tim Seifert.

Despite being removed from the central contract list, Bracewell, 35, will continue to be available for the New Zealand team. Nick Kelly, a batter for Northern Districts who has recently signed his first national contract 11 years after making his first-class debut, will take his place on the list.

Bracewell stated that he was looking forward to the upcoming five-match T20I series against India and remained committed to New Zealand.

According to Bracewell, "the support from New Zealand Cricket for me to take this opportunity at this stage of my career means a lot." "This seemed like an opportunity that was too good to pass up as a player who only played white-ball. I can't wait to be a part of the upcoming India tour and white-ball series, and I'm still very committed to the Blackcaps.

"I've also got my sights set on the chance to participate in the inaugural NZ20, which is scheduled to start next summer,"

Kelly, 33, made his international debut in March 2025 and has since played eight One-Day Internationals and seven Twenty20 Internationals. He also stepped in for the injured Tom Latham and led New Zealand in two Twenty20 International matches against Bangladesh earlier this year.

Kelly recently left Leicestershire, where he scored 950 runs across all formats. In addition, he scored his sixth century on the List A in the One Day Cup final against Middlesex.

Kelly's two seasons at Otago under the direction of New Zealand head coach Rob Walter were marked by the batter's consistency in domestic cricket, according to Walter.

"It's testament to his hard work that he's earned this first contract at this stage of his career," Walter stated. "Nick's a standout performer in domestic cricket for several seasons now."

"Introducing players like Nick to international cricket a little bit later certainly has its advantages in terms of the player's ability to know their game and trust themselves to perform under pressure,"

Walter is of the opinion that Kelly's experience will add value to the team because he has scored three fifty-score runs in his last four ODIs.

According to him, "Nick stuck his hand up with his performances against Bangladesh and the West Indies in what was at times challenging batting conditions."

"He adds a lot to our contracted group because he has played in over 300 professional matches and is one of the best fielders in the country."