New Zealand dealt another injury blow as Bracewell sidelined
Bracewell pulled up while batting for Worcestershire last Friday, retiring hurt on 11* in a T20 defeat to Yorkshire with it soon confirmed that he ruptured his right Achilles.
The 32-year-old will undergo surgery in the UK this Thursday, before beginning a six to eight-month rehabilitation, ruling him out of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India across October and November.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said the injury is a bitter blow, but wished a mentally-tough Bracewell a successful recovery.
“Firstly, you always feel for the player when injury strikes and especially when it means they will have to miss a world event,” Stead said.
“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.”
Wickets tumbled as New Zealand raced to a 102-run win over Sri Lanka in Paarl.
Bracewell will return to New Zealand only after medical clearance following the surgery, and the all-rounder joins national skipper Kane Williamson on the team's injury list.
Williamson ruptured his ACL on IPL duty back in April and is expected to sit out six months himself, though his prognoses means a contribution at India 2023 has not yet been ruled out.
New Zealand are set to run simultaneous winter training camps in Lincoln and Tauranga in late July and mid-August as they begin to ramp up preparations for the showcase event to be stage in India later this year.