After an ideal start for the Black Caps, with England losing two wickets inside the first half an hour of play, Bracewell produced his stunning effort to continue New Zealand’s excellent morning.

Southee bowled around the wicket to the left-handed Duckett, drawing him down the pitch and into a front-foot drive. As the ball moved off the green surface, it took a thick outside edge off Duckett’s bat and flew behind square, seemingly into the gap between third slip and gully.

Bracewell dove quickly to his left, at full length with his arm outstretched. The ball moved quickly, and by the time it was in Bracewell’s hand it was almost behind him. As he fell to the ground clutching the ball in one hand, the ball almost bobbled out as his elbow jolted on impact.

Quickly smothering the ball in his chest to ensure it didn’t hit the grass, Bracewell was quickly mobbed by his teammates in delight at the sensational grab.

On commentary, Alison Mitchell and Simon Doull were in disbelief over Bracewell’s catch and New Zealand’s perfect start. Mitchell exclaimed: “That’s another one, and it’s a ripper of a catch! What a start this is for New Zealand.”

Doull joined her in praising Bracewell’s effort: “That’s a beauty,” he said. “Michael Bracewell has an outstanding pair of hands. This time he needed just the one, diving full length to his left… It bobbled! He got it on the second take, even better. Wow, that’s impressive from Bracewell.”

The wicket left England 21-3 having lost three wickets in as many overs. Zak Crawley was dismissed for two caught behind before Ollie Pope was also caught in the slips – Matt Henry picking up both wickets on his return to the side.

Watch: Michael Bracewell takes one-handed, diving slip catch to dismiss Ben Duckett below

WOW.

That is some catch 🤯

Bazball™️ is under pressure here… #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/0xrDQ0Fiqm

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 23, 2023