New Zealand’s stand-in captain Tom Latham lauded Michael Bracewell’s knock of 140 runs in the first ODI against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Wednesday. While chasing a gigantic total of 350 runs, the Kiwis’ innings were in tatters at 131-6 with Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell joining forces.
At that stage, the match was in India’s grasp but the left-handed duo didn’t throw in the towel as they stitched a fine alliance of 162 runs to get their back into the contest. Bracewell took an aggressive role in the partnership as he took his chances against the Indian bowlers.
The required run rate was ballooning at that stage and the southpaw was able to keep it under check with regular boundaries. Mitchell Santner also played a second fiddle and played a fine supporting role as he scored 57 runs off 45 balls.
The stand of 162 between Bracewell and Santner was New Zealand’s best for the seventh wicket in the ODI format and a lot of credit goes to the duo for keeping their team alive in the contest till the end.
20 runs were required in the final over and Bracewell was able to put Shardul Thakur under pressure right away as he smashed a big six on the first ball of the over. However, the right-arm medium pacer was able to keep his calm in the end as he plumbed the left-hander in front of the wickets.
Tom Latham said in the post-match presentation after a narrow loss of 12 runs, “It was an amazing innings (from Bracewell). From 131/6, to come and play an innings like that, for him to put our team in a situation to win the game, it’s outstanding. Obviously disappointing we couldn’t get across the line but it was special. When you’re chasing and coming at a pressure situation, to give us a chance to win that game was special. I think it probably gripped a bit more under lights, India used a lot more cutters into the wicket and it worked. Bracewell batted well and his partnership with Santner was very good to see.”
Bracewell did an amazing job for the team and he would want to continue the good show for the Kiwis. On the other hand, the Blackcaps will want to come up with a better bowling performance.
The second ODI will be played in Raipur on Saturday.
