Michael Bracewell ruled out of ICC Men’s World Cup

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s in-form all-rounder Michael Bracewell has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 in India due to an injury.

According to the details, Michael Bracewell ruptured his right Achilles while batting for the Worcestershire Rapids in the English T20 Blast.

Bracewell will undergo surgery in the UK on Thursday before beginning a lengthy rehabilitation which will rule him out of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India this October-November.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said it was a big blow for Bracewell and the team.

“Firstly, you always feel for the player when injury strikes and especially when it means they will have to miss a world event,” Stead said.

“Michael’s a great team man and has had a fantastic 15 months for the BLACKCAPS since his international debut.

“We’ve seen his exceptional skills in all three facets of the game and he was shaping as an important player for us at the world cup in India.

“Michael’s naturally pretty disappointed, but also pragmatic in acknowledging that injuries are a part of sport and he’s now turning his focus to his rehabilitation.”

Michael Bracewell’s injury is another massive blow to New Zealand’s World Cup preparations as the last edition’s runners-up are already without their full-time skipper Kane Williamson, who suffered a serious knee injury during the Indian Premier League.

Williamson ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee, revealed the scans. He then underwent surgery after the swelling reduced.

Williamson landed awkwardly in the opening match of the tournament between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The injury ruled him out of the entire IPL season this year.

However, the 32-year-old’s absence would be a major blow for his national side. The right-hander has scored more than 6000 ODI runs at an average of 47.83 in 161 ODI matches.

Under his captaincy, New Zealand finished as runner-up in the last edition of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2019. They lost to England in the epic final that went down to Super Over with the host eventually lifting the trophy on boundary count.

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