Michael Bracewell
Michael Bracewell.

Wellington player Michael Bracewell on Friday (May 13) earned a maiden contract with New Zealand Cricket as the board announced a list of centrally contracted players for the upcoming 2022-23 season.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel made a return to the centrally contracted players list while all-rounder James Neesham has been dropped from the 20-player list.

Jimmy Neesham
Image Source: Twitter

Michael Bracewell, Ajaz Patel were added to the NZC centrally contracted players list; Jimmy Neesham, Ross Taylor dropped

Bracewell and Patel are the only two new additions to NZC’s contact list as Ross Taylor, who retired from international cricket last month, was inevitably dropped from the list.

Ajaz stunned the cricket world with his 10-wicket haul in an innings against India in the second Test in Mumbai in December last year.

Michael Bracewell has been consistently performing on the domestic circuit: Gary Stead

Bracewell made his ODI debut against the Netherlands in the three-match series. He picked five wickets at an economy rate of 5.05 and was also named Super Smash player of the year (2021-22) for scoring 478 runs in 10 innings at 79.67.

Bracewell scored a scintillating unbeaten 141 for Wellington in their match against Central Districts.

Michael Bracewell. Photo- Twitter
Michael Bracewell. Photo- Twitter

“Finalising the list seems to get tougher by the year. The busy international calendar means we’re calling on a wider base of talent these days and the likes of Michael Bracewell is testament to the depth of that talent,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead was quoted as saying in a release issued by NZC. 

Read More  IPL Live Streaming In India– When and Where To Watch RCB vs KKR Live In India? IPL 2024, Match 10

“Michael’s been consistently performing on the domestic circuit for seasons now and we certainly see him as an international prospect in all three formats.

“It’s great to see Ajaz back on the list after narrowly missing out last season. His value as our leading red-ball spinner is clear and we’re excited to see the role he could play in the Test team going forward.

Gary Stead
Gary Stead (Image Credit: Twitter)

“I’d also like to acknowledge Ross Taylor and his immense contribution to the BLACKCAPS over a long and successful career,” he added.

New Zealand cricket team will travel to England to play three-match Test series against Ben Stokes & co. The first Test commences on June 2 at the Lord’s.

New Zealand players offered central contracts for 2022-23: Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.