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New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell is the latest to opt for a casual contract in the ongoing 2026-27 season. Bracewell has taken the drastic step to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2026-27 which will begin on December 12. Bracewell is the sixth New Zealand high-profile player to opt for the casual contract. The other casually contracted players are Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Mark Chapman.
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Bracewell seems to be done with red-ball cricket. He will be next seen playing international cricket in the five-T20I series at home which begins on October 22.
"The backing from New Zealand Cricket for me to take this opportunity at this stage of my career means a lot," Bracewell, 35, 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 BLACKCAPS 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."
Bracewell to miss Sri Lanka ODI, T20Is for BBL?
This means that Bracewell is unavailable for selection for the four-Test series at home against Australia. His previous Test appearance was last year against West Indies at home. The Australia Test series will run parallel to the BBL. He will make his BBL debut this season. So far, it is not clear which BBL team he will play for.
While Bracewell is looking forward to playing white-ball cricket for New Zealand, he may miss a few ODIs early next year and even the T20I series opener. The BBL 2026-27 goes on till January 26. If his team does not qualify for knockouts, his BBL season is likely to conclude either on January 17 or before.
During the business end of BBL 2026-27, New Zealand will host Sri Lanka for an ODI and T20I series. The ODI series begins on January 16 and goes on till January 22. Then, the T20I series will be played from January 26 to January 31. If Bracewell misses the ODI series against Sri Lanka, it will be a blow to their preparation for the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa.
Bracewell’s franchise T20 cricket portfolio and career numbers
As Bracewell enters the twilight period of his career, he has played T20 franchise cricket across the world. He recent represented Amsterdam Flames in the inaugural edition of European T20 Premier League. However, he managed just 33 runs from six innings and wreaked havoc with the ball, taking 19 wickets at an average under 10.
He had made his IPL debut for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2023. Later, he went unsold. He moved on and has already played two seasons in Pakistan Super League (PSL). Also, he has played two seasons in The Hundred. He had replaced Aiden Markram at Manchester Super Giants who went on to win the title.
So far, he has played 232 T20s and scored 3,755 runs from 192 innings at an average of 25.20 and strike rate of 136.19 including a ton and 19 fifties. With the ball, the off-spinner has 125 wickets at an average of 23.38 including one fifer and two four-fers. His economy rate is just under eight runs per over.
Who replaces Bracewell in New Zealand’s list of centrally contracted players?
33-year-old Nick Kelly has been handed a central contract. He made his debut in international cricket last year. He also led New Zealand in two T20Is against Bangladesh in the absence of an injured Tom Latham.
"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,"New Zealand head coach Rob 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."
Kelly’s career so far
Kelly has played eight ODIs and seven T20Is so far. In ODIs, he has 265 runs at an average of 33.12 including three half-centuries. In T20Is, he has managed to score just 97 runs from seven innings at an average of 16.16 and a strike rate of 110.22. He has been a consistent performer in first-class cricket. The Otago batter has 5,501 runs under his belt in red-ball cricket from 138 innings at an average nearly 39. He has 14 centuries and 22 fifties in first-class cricket.
When will Bracewell be next in action?
Bracewell will be action in the five-T20I series against Indian which will be played from October 22 to November 1. It will be followed by a five-ODI series from November 4 to November 15.
Bracewell's T20I and ODI record vs India
Bracewell has played three T02Is against India and managed to score just 23 runs at a strike rate of 71.87. But, he has been impressive with the ball, taking four wickets at an average of 13 and conceding runs at under six runs per over.
He has one standout knock against India in ODIs. He had scored 140 in an unsuccessful run chase when Shubman Gill had scored a double century in 2023. From nine ODI appearances against India, he has 287 runs from seven innings at an average of 57.40 and strike rate of 137.32. Apart from the 140-run knock, he has an ODI fifty against India as well. With the ball, he has four wickets at an average nearly 75.
New Zealand’s T20I squad vs India
New Zealand had announced their squad for the T20I series nearly two weeks ago. The key player missing his Rachin Ravindra who is yet to recover from the freak shoulder injury he suffered during a promotional shoot. Ben Sears is yet to recover from injury as well. The squad includes all six players with casual contracts this season.
New Zealand’s 15-man T20I squad vs India - Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamiseon, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith.
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