The ‘Beast’ gave India a shock and almost snatched the game away on Wednesday night in Hyderabad.
He didn’t have the last laugh, but that incredible 78- ball 140 from Michael Bracewell — nicknamed Beast — should go down as one of the best innings in ODI cricket.
Such a counter-punching knock, however, is quite common for this Black Caps spinner all-rounder. It was only last July when his unbeaten 127 off 82 balls helped New Zealand chase down a 301-run target against Ireland in Malahide with one wicket in hand even after being reduced to 153/6 in the 30th over.
A year ago in the T20 Super Smash at home, his 141 not out off 65 balls enabled Wellington Firebirds to overhaul Central Districts’ 227/4 with two wickets in hand and a ball to spare. In that game, Wellington had lost half their side for just 43 in five overs.
These instances reflect that Bracewell — a keeper-batter in his early days till the shift to Wellington from Otago helped him to work on his off spin — has the ability to thrive under pressure and is ready to grab the bull by the horns.
“When I was coaching Wellington, Michael was the captain then and had produced some innings like that at the domestic level. He’s very calm and composed in all situations and that was one of the reasons why I had made him the captain,” former Wellingtoncoach Glenn Pocknall told TheTelegraph on Thursday.
On his part though, Bracewell tries to keep matters as simple as possible. “It’s about coming in and trying to play your role,” he said later on Wednesday.
Cricket runs in this 31-yearold’s blood as he’s the nephew of former New Zealand head coach John Bracewell while his father Mark is a former first-class cricketer for Otago. Pacer Doug Bracewell, also in the current Black Caps squad, is his cousin.
Barely 10 months old in international cricket, Michael didn’t have a great start with the ball. He couldn’t counter England’s Bazball during the Test series back in June. However, his 4/75 in the second innings of the second and final Test in Karachi took New Zealand perilously close to winning the contest.
Even in the first ODI against India on Wednesday, he could have finished with better figures than 0/43 in six overs.
“Michael’s bowling developed a massive amount at Wellington through the mentorship of (former New Zealand spinner) Jeetan Patel. He bowled a huge amount at training sessions and that’s where Jeets helped in his development,” Pocknall said.
“Once Jeets retired from Wellington, Michael started bowling more in matches and this coincided with (former leg-spinner) Lance Dry coming on in the Firebirds coaching staff. Lance was instrumental in assisting Michael’s craft.”
