Many happy returns, Doug Bracewell stars in NZ comeback
Doug Bracewell’s return trip to international cricket went a lot better than his last notable journey.
The recalled New Zealand allrounder took 4-55 against the West Indies in Whangarei yesterday as the hosts recorded another comfortable win – this time by five wickets.
While Bracewell’s eight-over performance with the ball was far from flawless, he had an instant impact when called upon by skipper Kane Williamson in the 11th over of the Windies’ innings.
The 28-year-old took two wickets in three balls – including the prized scalp of Chris Gayle – to push the encounter firmly in New Zealand’s favour.
In May, Bracewell was sentenced to 100 hours community service and banned from driving for one year for his third drinkdriving conviction, after he was caught three times over the legal breath alcohol limit near his Haumoana, Hawke’s Bay home.
He had responded to a panicked call from his partner after their pet cockatoo was killed by dogs they were looking after for a friend.
That was on top of a serious knee injury that sidelined him for months, and it appeared Bracewell was a long way from a Black Caps call-up.
But a return to fitness and form and the absence of Colin de Grandhomme gave Bracewell another shot.
He made the storybook start by dismissing Gayle, bowling to the ideal spot for the free-swinging lefty.
In player/coach-speak, it was ‘‘executing our plans’’ to perfection and it killed off the Windies superstar.
Gayle and Evin Lewis had been pegged back initially by Tim Southee and Trent Boult but when that duo emerged unscathed from the first 10 overs, it seemed skipper Williamson may have to switch to plan B, as he spoke of the previous day. Bracewell – who maybe was plan B – got an A for his first over.
A wide with his second ball stopped it from entering A+ territory, but with his second ‘legitimate’ delivery he had Shai Hope adjudged caught behind with a ball that may have got the faintest inside edge.
It was a game of note for the relative ‘fresh faces’ in the NZ side.
Legspinner Todd Astle, on debut in the one-day side aged 31, indicated with 3-33 from his 10 overs that his immediate ODI future’s so bright, he’s gotta keep wearing his shades.
The sunglass-sporting allrounder employed his googly to full effect, and while Lewis made 76 off 100 balls and Rovman Powell gave the crowd some entertainment and his side faint hope by whacking 59 off 50 balls, featuring four sixes, NZ looked in control.
The hosts required only two overs from sixth-choice bowler Colin Munro, who instead used the bat to make his mark as he and opening partner George Worker produced a century partnership in good time.
Munro rode his luck at times as the Windies couldn’t find the inspiration they required in the field to make an early breakthrough. The left-hander offered a couple of tough chances but his bold manner bore fruit as victory never looked in doubt and he got to 49 off 36 balls, with eight boundaries, before spewing one to cover.
Also given the opportunity to impress at the top of the order, George Worker struck the ball crisply in his 66-ball 57 before Williamson and Ross Taylor did the rest.
The second match of the threegame series is in Christchurch on Saturday.