No.4 in Wisden’s men’s ODI innings of 2023 is Michael Bracewell’s counter-attacking hundred in a heart-breaking loss for New Zealand against India. Sarah Waris looks back at the knock.
Wisden’s men’s ODI innings of 2023, No.4: Michael Bracewell – 140 (78)
India vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, January 18
On the first ball of the 50th over, Michael Bracewell sat back and pounced on a slow short ball over long-on for his 10th six of the night. Bracewell, who was dismissed at No. 7 in the 14th ODI innings, hit 77 for 140 after his team slumped to 131-6, taking Shardul Thakur’s delivery and reducing them to 5-14. From wide he made 5 of 13 points.
Last year, after New Zealand slumped to 217 wins and 8 losses, they made a tough comeback against Ireland with 301 points, finishing with 127* from 82 balls, but Bracewell’s strike in Hyderabad was again off the mark. It became an entry into.
Bracewell came into the match at a pace of almost 10 runs with over half an over remaining, but still needed time to warm up and reached 13 runs off his first 12. Tom Latham fell and Mitchell was taken off. Santner was the last capable hitting support. The offer price exceeded his 11.
He initially dealt four cards, seven of them in the first 29 pitches, but the odds still rose. Thakur, the opponent for whom this match ends, was then reinserted and the switch was officially flipped.
Four, six, four, Bracewell reached the 50 mark. Thakur tried to bowl a wide line but conceded a long shot instead. The ball slipped into Bracewell. Between overs 37 and 40, he hit his sixes and his fours and many more fours. Thakur’s figures read 1 win and 13 losses in 5 overs. With his next two goals, he conceded 34 points.
New Zealand needed 103 from the last 10 overs. The chase began again and Bracewell showed his sense of the game. He was going for the shot but wasn’t too keen. Mohammed Shami got a six but then Mohammed Siraj played patiently with a no-bounder in his 42nd over. He believed that a delivery of roses would come. The next two overs scored 25 runs, followed by two quiet overs, the second of which included two wickets. It was all up to Bracewell, who took two wickets and needed 56 from four overs. Hardik Pandya he bowled 2 for 6. Lockie Ferguson chipped in at the first ball boundary and Bracewell snapped and converted for a fourth and six. The next break came after he needed one out of two. Coach Panja conceded four goals and sacked Ferguson. The game swung between a lone combatant and a group of men trying and failing to stop him.
If we needed 20 from the last six balls and got a wicket, it was exactly the same calculation as against Ireland. Bracewell started with six and then went wide. 13 people took 5 people. Then the rattle of death, a Thakur yorker, doomed him and limped him to try again.
Mr. Bracewell fell to his knees in pain. He delivered another miraculous blow, but this time it fell short.
He will miss the World Cup due to injury, but if his innings in Hyderabad is any indication, Bracewell will have another chance at glory. Then take care of him.
