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New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell in a practice session during India series. (PHOTO: AP)
Black Caps captain Michael Bracewell is aiming to do in ODIs what Tom Latham did in Tests – win a series in India. But leading a depleted side for the ongoing series with a final game at Indore, and captaining in his 100th international LOI, the all rounder said he had never expected to play even one game for the Black Caps, let alone a 100.
“For a long time, I never thought I’d play once, so to be standing here on the eve of 100 games is pretty special,” he was quoted as saying by Otago Daily Times. Bracewell debuted rather late internationally, at age 31, and played his first one-day match against the Netherlands in 2022. He added he was grateful for the opportunity. “Every one of those games has been a significant achievement, I think, and certainly one that I go out and play with a lot of pride.”
Now 34, the skipper who has a chance to seal the series at Indore said his progress as a regular bowler had been rather surprising.
“Each format has its unique challenges and I think probably one thing I wasn’t expecting as I was younger was the bowling opportunities that I’ve had. It’s something that I’ve really enjoyed, being able to try and work up my game, and understand how to bowl in different conditions.”
Adaptability had been very crucial in his career, Bracewell said. “Each different format offers hugely different challenges. I think that’s something that I’m really proud of, trying to adjust and being effective in different formats in different conditions around the world.”
But leading the side had brought up a rare opportunity for a team that has never won a one-day series in India.
“It’s a unique opportunity with the series on the line, and hopefully, we can do the little things well and see where we end up. What we’ve done well this series is concentrate on the things that we can control,” he said of the unique brand of enterprising Kiwi cricket that relies on precise selections, an intuitive understanding of conditions and fighting relentlessly.
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“In both games we’ve stayed in the games for long periods, so hopefully, we can repeat that process and come out on the right side of the result,” he told Otago Daily.
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