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Michael Bracewell addresses the media ahead of the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI at Vadodara. (Express Photo | Bhupendra Rana)
Michael Bracewell may be unfit for New Zealand’s T20i series against India after picking up a calf strain earlier this week. Bracewell’s injury took place during the third ODI in Indore and has cast a doubt over his involvement in the ODI series.
Coach Rob Walter confirmed Bracewell’s injury but said that he would travel with the team. The New Zealand cricket board also gave a statement and said that a decision on his further involvement would be monitored.
“will be treated and monitored over the coming days before a decision on his further involvement in the tour is confirmed,” a board statement said.
The India and New Zealand teams have both been hit by the injury bug ahead of this series, and ahead of a T20 World Cup which is set to begin in India from February 7. India have already had to face setbacks to their squad thanks to injuries to Rishabh Pant, Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar.
New Zealand coach Walter also confirmed that Kristian Clarke would continue on with the team and stay for the first three games of the T20I series, stating that the Kiwis needed a pace option amid all of the player movement happening.
“We’ve got a fair bit of player movement at the moment with some guys returning from injury for this series, others joining us immediately from franchise cricket and the rest coming off the India ODI series and Super Smash,” Walter said, according to ESPNCricinfo. “We want to ensure we’ve got enough pace-bowling options for the first three games of this series and it’s a great opportunity for Kristian to stay on with the group a little longer on his first tour of India.
He then said, “He certainly showcased his talent in the ODI series, but what was particularly impressive was his calmness and ability to perform under pressure.”
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24-year-old Clarke was a key player for New Zealand in their first-ever ODI series victory in India. He picked up seven wickets in three games, including the wicket of Virat Kohli twice and provided crucial lower order runs for the Kiwis.
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