Bracewell is back in black
Recalled bowling allrounder Doug Bracewell is guaranteed a place in the New Zealand XI for the one-day international against the West Indies in Whangarei today.
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson confirmed that Bracewell, brought into the squad as a late replacement for Colin de Grandhomme, would play and bat anywhere from six to eight.
‘‘Yeah, that’s one name that I’ll mention that’ll be in the XI tomorrow,’’ Williamson said at a media conference yesterday.
‘‘It’s nice to see him back from injury, the knee’s recovering nicely,’’ Williamson said.
‘‘His batting’s been coming along really well for quite some time,’’ Williamson said.
‘‘We’ve seen it a lot in domestic cricket. I suppose he came on the scene more as that bowler, opening bowler, first change seamertype player.
‘‘But for quite some time now we’ve certainly seem talent with the bat and a real opportunity for him to develop into that true allrounder.’’
Williamson acknowledged the 27-year-old now needed to turn potential and performances at domestic level into consistent production internationally.
‘‘That’s the challenge for anyone I suppose - you want to be consistent in how you operate.
‘‘It is a role that he’s familiar with at domestic cricket - it’s a little bit new at international cricket for him, I suppose his first opportunity to play that real allrounder role, batting in the middle-lower order rather than the lower order - and it is different.
‘‘I suppose from six to eight is where he’ll be looking to bat.’’
Bracewell has 27 tests, 14 ODIs and 14 Twenty20 internationals for his country but his most recent was against India in Dharamsala in October 2016.
Since then it’s been a rocky ride for the controversial 27-year-old who bowled New Zealand to a test victory over Australia in Hobart in 2011, but left his career in jeopardy after a series of off-field incidents involving alcohol.
Last December he suffered a serious knee injury when falling awkwardly on the slippery Yarrow Stadium turf.
In May he was sentenced to 100 hours community service and banned from driving for one year for his third drink-driving 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.
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen said Bracewell had done the hard work to earn the recall.
‘‘He’s done absolutely everything that he’s needed to do to get himself back into the international frame. It’s really pleasing to see him back.’’
Bracewell always hinted at ability with the bat, with a sound technique and ability to clear the rope with ease, but a test average of 13.85 and ODI average of 10.57 belied that.
Williamson will only play the first match of the three-game ODI series before being rested for two matches along with Tim Southee.
The hard-working skipper admitted he found it tough to be sitting out.
‘‘You always want to play, first and foremost.
‘‘Guys are always disappointed, it’s very hard to watch when you miss a game through anything really, but it is a New Zealand Cricket initiative and something we’ve done for a long time now.’’
Williamson said the tactic did help create more depth and helped in key moments, such as ensuring Matt Henry was ready to play in a World Cup semifinal and final in 2015.
‘‘I’ve never thought too far ahead - I never thought that was my job in terms of planning. But if I can see that it might make sense then it’s easier to accept.
‘‘You never want to feel like you’re letting the team down.’’