The Free Press Journal

Black Cap Bracewell in drink-drive guilty plea

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New Zealand fast bowler Doug Bracewell has pleaded guilty to drink-driving, admitting he was "deeply embarrasse­d" over the latest alcohol-fuelled incident to mar his career.

The 26-year-old conceded he was more than three times over the legal limit when police pulled him over in Hastings last month.

"I made a massive mistake by driving that evening and apologise unreserved­ly for my actions," he said in a statement after pleading guilty in court.

"This was no one's fault but my own... I'm deeply embarrasse­d to have let down so many people -- be they family, friends, or cricket-lovers."

Bracewell is yet to be sentenced and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement that he would be dealt with under special provisions for those who have at least two previous drink-drive conviction­s.

NZC chief David White said it was premature to discuss whether the organisati­on would impose its own punishment until Bracewell had been sentenced by the courts.

But he said NZC "take a very dim view" of drinkdrivi­ng.

Bracewell was suspended for one Test in 2014 after going on a drinking spree with batsman Jesse Ryder, during which he broke a bone in his foot. Ryder and Bracewell were also suspended for a match in 2012 after an altercatio­n with a bar patron while drinking after a one-dayer against South Africa.

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