New Zealand’s premier all-rounder Michael Bracewell has ruptured his Achilles which has ruled him out of the ODI Cricket World Cup happening in October. The injury was caused during a T20 Blast game in England and has sidelined him for six to eight months.
Bracewell has performed exceptionally for the Kiwis in the recent past. The left-hander has featured in 19 ODIs with 510 runs at an average of 42.50 while predominantly batting at No.6 and 7. The southpaw got major appreciation for his outstanding hundred against India this year where he smashed a 78-ball 140 – including 12 fours and 10 sixes – in chase of the home team’s 349/8.
Bracewell’s injury is a major blow to New Zealand’s plans for the 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup. The Black Caps will also be without the services of their talismanic skipper Kane Williamson who is nursing a leg injury.
Upon knowing the news of the injury, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said: “Firstly, you always feel for the player when injury strikes and especially when it means they will have to miss a world event.”
He further said, “Michael’s a great team man and has had a fantastic 15 months for New Zealand since his international debut. We’ve seen his exceptional skills in all three facets of the game and he was shaping as an important player for us at the world cup in India.”
Bracewell will now undergo surgery in the UK and then fly to his hometown for rehabilitation.
