New Zealand all-rounder Bracewell ruled out of ODI World Cup due to foot injury
Auckland. All-rounder Michael Bracewell has been ruled out of this year’s ODI World Cup in India with a foot injury, dealing another blow to New Zealand ahead of the premier 50-over competition. Capable of bowling off-spin as well as batting effectively, Bracewell has been ruled out for six to eight weeks due to a right leg injury (Achilles tendon) sustained on June 9 while playing for Worcestershire in the English T20 Blast. Bracewell is scheduled to undergo surgery in the UK on Thursday after which he will undergo a long rehabilitation process which will rule him out of the ODI World Cup starting October 5 in India.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said on Wednesday, “Michael is a team player and has done exceptionally well for New Zealand in the last 15 months since making his international debut.” We have seen his fantastic skills in all three departments of the game and he was shaping up to be a key player for us in the World Cup in India. He is also practical in accepting that injuries are a part of the game and he is now focusing on rehabilitation. Bracewell suffered an injury two months later.
Also read: Good news for KL Rahul’s fans, NCA arrives for early return to the team
New Zealand’s white-ball captain Williamson also underwent surgery and is unlikely to play in the World Cup. Stead said, “[Williamson]is doing everything he can to be there but there’s still a possibility he won’t be there… Then there’s Bracewell… those are two big losses.” Under Williamson’s leadership, the team reached the final of the last ODI World Cup where it lost to hosts England on the basis of boundary count rule. Bracewell, who was named New Zealand’s ODI player of the year last year, made his debut last year and has played 19 ODIs, 16 T20 Internationals and eight Tests so far. During the tour of India last year, Bracewell played a memorable inning of 140 runs in 78 balls in the first ODI. He took six wickets in five matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the recently concluded IPL.
