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 slower short ball over long-on for his 10th six of the night. Walking out in his 14th ODI innings at No.7, Bracewell, batting on 140 off 77 after his team had slumped to 131-6, bludgeoned a Shardul Thakur delivery to reduce the equation to 14 in five. A wide made it 13 off five.

Having already seen off a rocky chase of 301 against Ireland a year earlier with an 82-ball 127* after New Zealand had slipped to 217-8, Bracewell’s knock in Hyderabad was another entry into the canon of out-of-the-blue classics.

Bracewell came in with the rate nearing 10 an over and more than half the overs left to bat, but still gave himself some time to get set, moving to 13 off his first 12. Tom Latham fell, leaving Mitchell Santner as his last capable batting support. The asking rate crossed 11.

At first he dealt in fours, seven of them in his first 29 balls, but still the asking rate climbed. Then Thakur, against whom it would end was reintroduced, and the switch properly flicked.

Four, six and four saw Bracewell scorch past fifty. Thakur attempted to bowl wide lines but conceded wides instead. The ball skidded on to Bracewell. Between overs 37-40, he smashed four sixes and as many fours. Thakur’s figures had read 1-13 after five overs. In his next two he conceded 34.

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New Zealand needed 103 off the last 10 overs. The chase was back on, Bracewell showed his game sense. He looked for the shots but was not over-eager. Mohammed Shami was scooped for six, but then he patiently played out Mohammed Siraj’s 42nd over without a boundary. He trusted that the loose deliveries would come. The next two overs went for 25 runs, and two quiet overs followed, the second of which contained two wickets. It was all on Bracewell, with two wickets in hand, and 56 needed off four overs. Hardik Pandya was swung twice for six. Lockie Ferguson chipped in with a first-ball boundary, and then Bracewell scooped and carved four and six. With 24 needed off two came another pause. Pandya conceded four and dismissed Ferguson. The game oscillated between the lone-spirited fighter and a group of men nearly succumbing in their attempt to stop him.

Twenty needed off the last six balls and one wicket in hand, the exact equation as it was against Ireland. Bracewell began with a six, then came a wide. Thirteen needed off five. Then the death rattle, a Thakur yorker his undoing as he looked to shuffle across and ramp it again.

Bracewell slumped on his knees in anguish. He had delivered another wonder knock, but this time he had come up short.

He ended up missing the World Cup due to an injury but if his Hyderabad innings was an indication, there will be another shot at glory for Bracewell. Watch out for him then.