Nel played 110 times for the Scottish cricket team, his début coming in a Totesport League match against Durham on 6 June 2004 taking 2–16 off 7 overs.
In May 2007, Nel signed for Worcestershire, covering for injured bowlers Doug Bollinger, Matt Mason and Nadeem Malik.
Cricket Scotland began professionalising the national team in 2008 with the introduction of contracts for three of its players, including Nel.
[4] He signed a two-year contract to play for Kent County Cricket Club in March 2010, following an impressive performance on trial.
At the end of the previous season seam bowlers Ryan McLaren and Martin Saggers left Kent and Nel bolstered their bowling attack.