In what came as a body blow to New Zealand, the country's star all-rounder Michael Bracewell sustained a ruptured Achilles, putting his participation in the 2023 ODI World Cup in serious jeopardy. Bracewell is expected to be sidelined for at least six to eight months after undergoing surgery on June 15 (Thursday) in the U.K. In the last couple of years, Bracewell emerged as one of the Blackcaps' key players in white-ball cricket and was awarded with New Zealand's ODI Player of the Year award.
The 32-year-old suffered the gruesome injury during the ongoing edition of the T20 Blast in England. Playing for Worcestershire, Bracewell sustained the injury in the match against Yorkshire.
“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 coach Gary Stead said while reflecting on Bracewell's injury.
“Michael’s a great team man and has had a fantastic 15 months for the Black Caps 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.
"Michael’s naturally pretty disappointed, but also pragmatic in acknowledging that injuries are a part of sport and he’s now turning his focus to his rehabilitation," he added.
The New Zealand all-rounder has played 43 international matches so far in his career. In 19 ODIs, Bracewell has scored 510 runs at a strike rate of 118.60 with the help of two centuries. The right-arm off-spinner has also bagged 15 wickets in ODIs. Earlier in the year, the left-handed batter displayed his prowess with the bat against India when he played an outrageous knock of 140 runs in 78 balls with the help of 12 fours and 10 sixes.
First Williamson, now Bracewell
Bracewell is the second Kiwi player who is set to miss the ODI World Cup later in the year. Earlier, white-ball captain Kane Williamson ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Willamson suffered the injury during IPL 2023 opening game between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. Williamson jumped in the air and caught hold of the ball while fielding at deep mid-wicket. As he was bound to go over the boundary, he flicked the ball back into the option before it touch the boundary ropes. Williamson landed on his right knee and immediately collapsed on the ground. He held his right knee and got medical attention as GT physio rushed to their overseas recruit’s aid.
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