Leicestershire sign Nick Kelly on a multi-format contract for 2026 season

New Zealand batter Nick Kelly is set to join newly-promoted Leicestershire for the remainder of the 2026 season. This will be the 32-year-old’s first outing in English domestic cricket as he prepares to form part of the Foxes’ team from mid-May onwards.

Kelly will join Leicestershire’s squad for all three formats of the game and is seen as a potential replacement for long-serving overseas player Peter Handscomb. The Australian batter is missing the 2026 season due to family commitments. 

“I’m really excited to be joining Leicestershire for the rest of the 2026 season. I’ve been following the team’s positive start to the campaign, and it’s clear there’s a great group at the club. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to experience county cricket for the first time, and I’m looking forward to contributing in all formats. I can’t wait to get over to Uptonsteel Grace Road, meet the players and supporters, and play my part in what promises to be an exciting season,” Kelly was quoted as saying on the Leicestershire website. 

Kelly will bring a host of experience to the Leicestershire squad, who are playing in Division One of the Rothesay County Championship for the first time since 2003. The top-order batter has played 278 games in his professional career, including 110 List A games and 99 T20s.

It is also worth mentioning that Kelly recently became the 13th player to captain New Zealand in a T20I, against Bangladesh in Chattogram. In his relatively short international career, the Wellington batter has played six ODIs and the same number of T20I matches. 

Leicestershire are currently seventh in the Division One standings, having picked up 32 points from their opening three games. This includes two draws and a defeat at the hands of Sussex earlier this month. The Foxes will be in search of their first win of the new season when they take on defending champions Nottinghamshire in their next game, commencing on May 1. 

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