New Zealand Test Cricket has not covered itself in glory over the last few years. Slipping to second bottom in the Test Rankings, this once proud test playing nation seemingly had no prospect of bucking this losing trend. Or so the cricketing world thought.
NZ’s last two test series have offered a win and a draw (albeit the win was in a one off test against the minnows of Zimbabwe). Now, these results in themselves are unspectacular, and many do not think that they show anything other than a win against a shocking Zimbabwe and an entertaining draw against an under strength Australia. It is evident, however, that the manner of these results and how they came about is intrinsically exciting for the future of this ailing test nation.
It is further submitted that the excitement surrounding the future of NZ cricket can be epitomised in the career of one player; Doug Bracewell. A talented fast bowling all rounder, Bracewell is a uniquely intelligent cricketer who singlehandedly secured these most recent results. Winning the Zimbabwe test with figures of 5-85 in the fourth innings, and ensuring a drawn series with Australia with incredible second test match figures of 9-60, Bracewell has already gained himself the tag of a future star of test cricket.
I lived with Bracewell for four months in 2008 and had an inkling that this guy was destined for special things. The son of former NZ test cricketer, Brendon, Doug ate, drank, and slept cricket for the majority of his life. Having been coached by Brendon myself for four months at the Bracewell Cricket Academy, it is no wonder that his son has developed into the sportsman that he is. Brendon is an immense disciplinarian, a man who does not mince his words if he feels that you are stepping out of line (or even playing down the wrong one). I changed immeasurably in my short time at the academy, so it is little wonder that 21 year old Doug has already shown the mental strength of someone ten years his senior. The glorious combination of raw talent, passion for the game, and the perfect mentor to focus his career, Doug Bracewell is sure to be one of the finds of the last decade.
In addition to this, I am of the personal opinion that Doug is one of the best batsmen that I have played with. Echoing his captain, Ross Taylor, it is evident that the best is yet to come from this talented all rounder in the future.
However, this is not just the start of one man’s promising test career, but the start of a resurgence of a nation. The second test in Hobarth, in which Bracewell captured a lost nation, saw 22 year old Trent Boult make his debut. A sharp left arm seamer, Boult is another that is destined for the big time. Another product of Brendon Bracewell’s Academy, Boult showed enough in his only test to show that he has the ability to trouble the best of batsmen. Bowling a disciplined line in tough conditions, the young left armer showed experience beyond his years. Adding Boult’s emergence to the success already experienced by 21 year old batsman Kane Williamson (yet another ward of Brendon Bracewell’s), the future is potentially bright for the New Zealand test team.
The reader may have picked up on the common link between these three future stars. At one point in their careers (in fact for Doug’s whole career) they were guided and mentored by Brendon Bracewell. The mental strength and moral values that Brendon hammers into his students can be seen in the way these three (to take a very limited example) play their cricket. Brendon’s ‘get hard’ academy is the perfect place for aspiring professionals to groom their techniques and mature into strong and ambitious individuals. If NZ cricket see sense, it won’t be long before they begin to fully utilise Brendon’s unique skills so to produce further young stars.
The start that Doug Bracewell has made to his international career is enough to inspire even the most negative kiwi. The passion and intelligence that he has shown in his handful of appearances so far epitomises the mentality of the youngsters coming through the ranks. If NZ Cricket see sense and grab hold of Brendon Bracewell to nurture this young talent, then it won’t be long before New Zealand will be storming up that rankings table.
