Doug Bracewell ruled out against Pakistan ODIs due to hamstring injury

New Zealand fast bowler Doug Bracewell has been ruled out of the Pakistan One-day International series on Tuesday after suffering from a hamstring injury which is eventually seen as the massive blow for the hosts led by Kane Williamson.

Kiwis had already announced the 13-member squad for the first two fixtures when Colin de Grandhomme was in Zimbabwe due to his father’s loss.

The Kiwis chief coach Mike Hesson has hailed the efforts of the bowler Bracewell, who is in his early days of his top-flight cricket when it comes to the limited-overs format and the former wants to see him in the team as soon as possible.

“We know he’s a hard trainer and back him to rehab well and be available for selection in the not too distant future,” Hesson said in a release.

The 27-year-old Tauranga-born Bracewell is bound to sit out in the first two ODIs after pulling the right hamstring during the recently concluded third and final Twenty20 International against Windies on January 3 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Bracewell was forced to leave the field shortly when Windies was chasing the daunting target off 244 before hosts Black Caps seal the T20I series 2-0 while registering a convincing 119-run win.

Earlier, on his return, Bracewell bagged four wickets against Jason Holder-led Windies at Whangarei on December 2017 which simultaneously impressed Hesson before Bracewell returned with two scalps in the first Twenty20.

“Doug’s worked really hard to make it back into the side after a pretty serious injury last year and he’s impressed in the opportunities he’s had,” Hesson added.

According to the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) statement, Bracewell’s teammate George Worker of Central Stags will replace the former who has fought hard – to make it to the national team following recovering from the injury last year.

Earlier, the 28-year-old left-handed batting all-rounder Worker was seen making way for explosive opening batsman Martin Guptill.

However, the accommodation of Worker, who has been in a solid form, is seen as a blessing in disguise for the hosts against Pakistan led by wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed.

In a three-match series against Windies, Worker smashed two fifties which further saw him registering 75 against Northern Districts at New Plymouth.

Bracewell will be monitored by the doctors while undergoing further tests owing to the medical assessment procedure.

The five-match ODI series is kicking off on January 6 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington which would further be followed by the three-match T20I series beginning from January 22 Westpac Stadium in Wellington.