Leicestershire have signed New Zealand batter Nick Kelly for the rest of the 2026 season.
Leicestershire have completed the addition of New Zealand’s Nick Kelly for the remainder of the 2026 season. The left-handed batsman, aged 32, has represented New Zealand in twelve white-ball internationals and will be eligible to feature in all formats for the Foxes starting from mid-May.
Kelly expressed his enthusiasm about the move, saying, 'I'm really excited to be joining Leicestershire. I've been following the team's positive start to the campaign, and it's clear there's a great group at the club.' He added, 'It's a fantastic opportunity for me to experience county cricket for the first time.'
Nick Kelly made his ODI debut for New Zealand in March 2025 and played his first T20 international a year later, featuring in six matches in each format so far. His first-class cricket record includes more than 4,500 runs at an average of just under 40, along with 13 centuries.
In limited-overs cricket, he has compiled 3,151 runs in 110 List A games and is nearing 2,000 runs in T20 matches with a strike rate of 127.
Head coach Alfonso Thomas spoke positively about the acquisition, stating, 'Nick is a high-quality signing for us and someone we're really excited to bring into the group.' He highlighted Kelly’s consistency and class, noting that nearly 5,000 runs at close to 40 in first-class cricket demonstrates his quality. Thomas also emphasized Kelly’s versatility, saying his experience in white-ball formats would be valuable for Leicestershire’s One Day Cup and T20 Blast campaigns.
Leicestershire have drawn two matches and lost one after returning to the County Championship’s first division this year. The team is set to face reigning champions Nottinghamshire at Grace Road on Friday.
Kelly is currently part of New Zealand’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh, where he recorded his highest ODI score of 83 in a six-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Mirpur on 20 April.