New Zealand has been dealt a significant blow just months before the highly anticipated 2023 ODI World Cup in India, as their star all-rounder Michael Bracewell has suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon. The injury occurred while Bracewell was batting for Worcestershire Rapids in the ongoing T20 Blast in England, forcing him to miss the showpiece event.
Bracewell is scheduled to undergo surgery in the UK on Thursday and will subsequently embark on a rehabilitation period expected to last up to eight months. New Zealand coach Gary Stead acknowledged Bracewell’s importance to the squad for the ODI World Cup and expressed regret over his absence.
“Firstly, you always feel for the player when injury strikes and especially when it means they will have to miss a world event,” Gary Stead remarked. “Michael’s a great team man and has had a fantastic 15 months for the BLACKCAPS since his international debut.”
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He further added, “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.”
❌Kane Williamson
❌Michael BracewellNew Zealand are set to be without two top players at the World Cup this year. Bracewell will undergo surgery on Thursday to treat a ruptured achilles #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/03UWavwqw7
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 14, 2023
Having been on the road since April after receiving a call-up from IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bracewell will remain in the UK for a couple of weeks following his surgery. His absence adds to New Zealand’s injury concerns leading up to the ODI World Cup, with captain Kane Williamson having already sustained a right knee injury while fielding for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 opener.
Gary Stead, however, remains optimistic about Williamson’s recovery and hopes he will regain fitness in time to be included in the squad for the World Cup.
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The loss of Bracewell, known for his versatile contributions, is undoubtedly a setback for New Zealand. The team will now need to reassess their strategies and find suitable replacements to fill the void left by the talented all-rounder. As the clock ticks down to the ODI World Cup, the BLACKCAPS will be keen to regroup and forge ahead with their preparations, aiming to make a strong impact despite the absence of Bracewell in their lineup.
