Cricket: Michael Bracewell earns call-up to new-look Blackcaps squad to take on Netherlands

  • 16/03/2022

Allrounder Michael Bracewell is back in the mix to make his one-day international debut for the Blackcaps, after being named to the squad for the upcoming one-day internationals and Twenty20 international against the Netherlands.

Central Stags wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver has also earned his first call-up, as part of the contingent selected for the one-off Twenty20 international at Napier next Friday.

Wellington Firebirds standout Bracewell was originally selected for the NZ tour to Bangladesh last September, but declined to stay home and await the birth of his first child.

The nephew of former NZ representatives John and Brendon, son of Otago first-class cricketer Mark, and cousin of current Blackcaps bowler Doug, the 31-year-old is the latest member of the famous NZ cricketing family to make the step up to the international arena.

Bracewell (478) and Cleaver (369) topped the list of this season's Super Smash run-scorers, and have featured extensively in the New Zealand A and winter programs in recent years.

Dane Cleaver in action for Central Stags.
Dane Cleaver in action for Central Stags. Photo credit: Photosport

"Both players have been on the national radar for some time and certainly deserve their selection off the back of another quality domestic season," says Blackcaps coach Gary Stead.

"Michael is a superb ball striker who can mix touch with his power, while his right arm off-breaks are an asset to any side.

"Dane, along with Cam Fletcher, has been the stand-out wicket-keeper-batsman of the Super Smash in recent years. We felt Dane's consistent weight of runs and the role he can play at the top of the order gave him the slight edge."

With 12 Blackcaps white-ball regulars unavailable due to the IPL, there are also opportunities for the pace-bowling duo of Ben Sears and Scott Kuggeleijn, who have been selected in just the T20 squad alongside Cleaver.

The 24-year-old Sears will be looking to add to his two T20 international caps following his debut in Bangladesh last September, while Kuggeleijn has played 20 games for the Blackcaps.

Tom Latham will lead both sides and keep wickets in the three game ODI series, which carries ICC Super League qualifying points and doubles as Ross Taylor's international career swansong.

Taylor, batsman Henry Nicholls, and quick Kyle Jamieson have been selected for just the one-day component of the tour, which begins at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval on March 29, before heading to Hamilton's Seddon Park for games two and three on April 2 and 4.

Matt Henry and Blair Tickner cover the other pace bowling spots across the two squads along with allrounders Colin de Grandhomme and Doug Bracewell.

Martin Guptill, Will Young and Mark Chapman provide the batting for both sides, while Ish Sodhi will be the lead spinner.

Stead says the tour is a great opportunity to further test their white-ball depth.

"Anytime you lose 12 front-liners it's going to be a challenge, but we're really excited by the players we've been able to call on."

"With another T20 World Cup later this year and the ODI World Cup next year, it's a good time to be offering opportunities to a wider group of players."

Blackcaps T20 and ODI squads to play Netherlands:

Tom Latham (c) (wk), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver (wk) (T20 only), Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson (ODI only), Scott Kuggeleijn (T20 only), Henry Nicholls (ODI only), Ben Sears (T20 only), Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor (ODI only), Blair Tickner, Will Young