Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Homegrown talents Thomas Kelly and Harry Nielsen have locked in their ongoing commitment to the Adelaide Strikers by signing new three and two-year deals respectively.
The talented middle-order strokemaker and the keeper-batter were vital elements of the Strikers’ charge to the finals in BBL|13 and are keen to continue the momentum built by the boys in blue when BBL|14 kicks off in less than four months.
“I’m rapt to sign a three-year contract to stay at the Strikers,” Kelly said.
“There’s no better atmosphere than playing in front of family, friends and our fans at Adelaide Oval and I can’t wait to get out there again in BBL|14.”
Nielsen said: “Seven years after my first game for the Strikers, I still love every time I run out onto Adelaide Oval.”
“As a proud South Australian, I’m grateful for the fantastic support we receive from our fans and, with the versatility we’ve got in the squad this year, I believe we can build further on the run of form we found at the end of BBL|13.”
Nielsen, 29, needs just two more appearances to notch 50 games for the Strikers, while 23-year-old Kelly has earned 34 caps since initially being signed as a replacement player for Test star Travis Head in 2021-22.
The pair boast strikingly similar BBL career batting records with Nielsen (451 runs at a strike rate of 119.9) and Kelly (401 at 118.2) currently sitting 13th and 14th respectively on the all-time Strikers runs-scorers list.
Nielsen’s 33 dismissals (30 catches and three stumpings) is also second-only to Test keeper Alex Carey’s return of 59 dismissals as best-performed gloveman for the club, and includes some memorable grabs in recent years.
As products of the Adelaide Premier Cricket and State under-age pathways programs, Kelly and Nielsen are also shining examples of the strength and success of the grassroots game throughout South Australia.
Adelaide Strikers Head Coach Tim Paine welcomed the new deals for the duo with whom he worked closely in his role as Strikers assistant coach in BBL|13.
“One of the keys to our success in the second half of last season was the strong bonds and self-belief built by the playing group, and Thomas and Harry played really important roles in that,” Paine said.
“Thomas brings great energy to the group with his innovative batting and exuberance in the field while, as a former keeper myself, I love Harry’s glovework which is matched by his professionalism and on-field leadership.”
Adelaide Strikers’ season begins against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on 17 December, before blockbuster Adelaide Oval home games against Melbourne Stars (December 20), Hobart Hurricanes (December 27), Perth Scorchers (New Year’s Eve), Brisbane Heat (January 11) and Sydney Sixers (January 15).
Tickets for BBL|14 are on sale and can be purchased here.
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The Adelaide Strikers are an Australian professional Twenty20 cricket team based in Adelaide, South Australia, competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Established in 2011, they succeeded the Southern Redbacks, who played in the now-defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The Strikers play their home games at the Adelaide Oval and wear a cornflower blue uniform.
