There comes a major blow for the New Zealand Cricket team as all-rounder Michael Bracewell has been ruled out of the ODI World Cup 2023 due to an Achilles injury. The prolific all-rounder suffered the injury during the ongoing T20 Blast in England & has been sidelined for at least six to eight months. He will now undergo surgery in the UK on June 15 & then will begin rehabilitation which will keep New Zealand’s Player of the Year in the ODI format out of action in the World Cup 2023.
This is the second injury for New Zealand who will be without the services of Kane Williamson at the World Cup due to an injury. “Firstly, you always feel for the player when injury strikes and especially when it means they will have to miss a world event,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.
A Glimpse of Michael Bracewell Career Achievements
Bracewell made his ODI debut on March 22 & since then has played in 19 ODIs amassing 510 runs at an average of 42.50 while predominantly batting at No.6 and 7. His standout performance came against India in Hyderabad in January 2023 when he scored 140 runs off 78 balls including 12 fours & 10 sixes. Though his knock didn’t help them to yield victory, it helped them to march near to run chase. His other unbeaten ODI ton (127* off 82) came against Ireland where they secured a one-wicket win in Dublin in 2022. With the ball, Bracewell has 15 wickets in his kitty.
“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 up as an important player for us at the world cup in India.
It will take Bracewell upto two weeks after the surgery to fly back home from the UK. “Michael’s naturally pretty disappointed, but also pragmatic in acknowledging that injuries are a part of the sport and he’s now turning his focus to his rehabilitation.”
Also read, Australia Crushes India To Win WTC 2023 Final Mace
