Michael Bracewell fitness doubts, Kristian Clarke stays on: New Zealand weigh options ahead of India T20Is

New Zealand's Kristian Clarke (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: New Zealand head coach Rob Walter has said that all-rounder Michael Bracewell’s participation in the upcoming five-match T20I series against India will depend on how he recovers from a minor left-calf strain, while also confirming that pace bowler Kristian Clarke will remain with the touring squad as part of the team’s plans going forward.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! New Zealand sealed a historic 2-1 ODI series win over India with a 41-run victory in the decider at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, but the triumph was slightly tempered by Bracewell’s injury scare. The all-rounder sustained the niggle while fielding in the third ODI and did not bowl thereafter.

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“Bracewell will be treated and monitored over the coming days before a decision on his further involvement in the tour is confirmed,” Walter said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket. Despite the concern, the coach underlined the significance of the ODI series success. “It was incredibly special to win the ODI series and create some history. There were lots of special performances combined with fantastic teamwork to achieve something that hadn’t been done before. ” Walter confirmed that Bracewell has travelled with the squad to Nagpur, where the T20I series begins on Wednesday, but stressed the need for quick recovery. “Michael has travelled with the squad to Nagpur. But with a short turn-around to the T20 series we’ll need to recover well and refocus quickly to be ready for the opening game,” he said.

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Walter also announced that pacer Kristian Clarke will remain with the touring party after being added to the T20 squad for the first three matches. The move, he explained, was driven by workload management and the need to bolster fast-bowling resources. “We want to ensure we’ve got enough pace-bowling options for the first three games of this series and it’s a great opportunity for Kristian to stay on with the group a little longer on his first tour of India. ” Clarke was one of New Zealand’s standout performers in the ODI series, picking up seven wickets across three matches, including dismissals of Virat Kohli on two occasions. He also contributed valuable lower-order runs and took two catches in the field. “He certainly showcased his talent in the ODI series, but what was particularly impressive was his calmness and ability to perform under pressure,” Walter added.

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