As the Pakistan vs New Zealand five-match T20I series looms, the spotlight falls on Michael Gordon Bracewell, who is set to lead New Zealand for the first time. Bracewell, a wicketkeeper-batter, last played international cricket in March 2023 and now steps into the leadership role as the team faces a challenging series against Pakistan.
Born on February 14, 1991, in Masterton, Wairarapa, Michael Bracewell brings a wealth of experience to the New Zealand squad despite his relatively young age of 33 years and 49 days. Known for his left-handed batting style and right-arm offbreak bowling, Bracewell has showcased his talents across various formats of the game.
In his international career, Bracewell has represented New Zealand in eight Test matches, 19 ODIs, and 16 T20Is. Bracewell’s career statistics paint a picture of a versatile cricketer capable of making significant contributions with both bat and ball. As a left-handed batter, Bracewell has showcased his prowess in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), accumulating runs with consistency and flair.
Michael Bracewell’s stats
With a Test batting average of 19.92 and a highest score of 74 not out, Bracewell has displayed resilience and determination at the crease, anchoring the innings when needed and playing crucial knocks to bolster the team’s total.
In ODIs, his impressive batting average of 42.50, coupled with two centuries and a highest score of 140, underscores his ability to excel in the limited-overs format. Furthermore, in T20Is, Bracewell has showcased his adaptability with a batting average of 18.83 and a highest score of 61 not out, providing valuable contributions in the shortest format of the game.
On the bowling front, Bracewell’s right-arm offbreak has proven to be a potent weapon for New Zealand across all formats. In Test matches, he has scalped 24 wickets at an average of 41.79, with a best bowling performance of 4/75. His ability to extract turn and variations from the pitch has troubled many batsmen, contributing crucial breakthroughs for his team.
Similarly, in ODIs, he has claimed 15 wickets at an average of 42.26, with a best bowling figure of 3/21. His economical bowling and knack for picking up crucial wickets have made him a valuable asset in the limited-overs arena. In T20Is, Bracewell has continued to impress with his bowling, taking 21 wickets at an outstanding average of 10.42 and an economy rate of 5.36.
His ability to control the flow of runs while consistently taking wickets has made him a key component of New Zealand’s T20I bowling attack. Overall, Bracewell’s all-round capabilities make him a valuable asset for New Zealand cricket, capable of making significant contributions with both bat and ball across all formats of the game.
Having made his T20I debut against Ireland in July 2022, Bracewell has steadily grown as a player and earned the respect of his teammates and fans alike. His all-round abilities make him a valuable asset to the New Zealand squad, and his elevation to the captaincy role signifies the team’s trust in his leadership skills.
However, Bracewell will lead a second-string squad during the Pakistan tour, as nine players are unavailable due to their commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL), while others miss out due to various reasons. Despite the absence of key players, Bracewell’s leadership will be crucial in guiding the team through the challenges posed by a formidable Pakistani side.
As New Zealand prepares to take on Pakistan in the upcoming T20I series, all eyes will be on Michael Bracewell as he leads his team with determination and strives to make a mark in his debut series as captain.
New Zealand T20I squad for Pakistan tour
Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi
Also, see:
IPL 2024: Ram Navami Clash – KKR vs RR Fixture Faces Rescheduling?
