It was a record-breaking night in the Super Smash 2020-21 season as Wellington chased down 228 in a thrilling contest against Central Districts, thanks to their captain Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten and match-winning 141. The versatile left-handed batter led his team to an incredible chase and won the match on the penultimate ball to keep Wellington's hopes alive in the Super Smash. Bracewell manufactured 11 fours and 11 sixes to take his team home as he took just 65 balls to score the unbeaten knock.
Asked to chase 228 Wellington, didn't have the greatest of starts, losing Finn Allen and Tim Robinson in the very first over. The situation was vulnerable by the fifth over for Wellington as they were reduced to 43/5 and still needed 185 from 15 overs with half of the team back to the dressing room.
Michael Bracewell outshines cousin Dough Bracewell
A night that belonged to the Bracewell's it was Dough who started on the front foot with a brace of wickets in the first over. But, it was his cousin in the opposition team who went on to grab the headlines as he smashed Central Districts all across the park to record a monumental win. Dough ended with the figures of 33/3 in four overs and underlined his importance, but his cousin proved too strong on the night to take his team home.
Bracewell was well supported by Jamie Gibson before he was run out for 21. Dutchman Logan Van Beek supported Bracewell with a cameo of 37 runs off just 18 balls. Apart from these three, no other batter managed to reach double-digits for the Wellington side. With 17 needed off the final over, Bracewell smashed two sixes and a four to see his side Wellington home with a ball to spare.
Earlier, Josh Clarkson's (76) unbeaten innings along with Tom Bruce (36) and Bayley Wiggins (45) had seen Central Districts score 227/4 in the 20 overs.
The win sees Wellington go within two points of second-place Northern Knights (18 points) with 16 points in third place, while Central Districts have now lost ground and sit fourth in the standings.
