Michael Bracewell’s incredible ODI batting numbers got even better after another stunning knock in Hyderabad in the first ODI between India and New Zealand. In just 57 balls, he reached his second ODI century which is also the third-fastest ODI century by a New Zealand batsman.
The kiwi all-rounder has featured in only 17 ODIs and has managed 462 runs averaging 46.2 with 2 tons. The 140 he scored is his career best individual score.
Michael Bracewell Scores 140 Equaling MS Dhoni’s Record Of Scoring 100+ Runs From No. 7 Or Lower Position
With the century, Michael Bracewell also equaled a rare record by MS Dhoni for being the first batsman in ODI history to score more than 100 runs from the number seven or lower position.
Only Luke Ronchi (170*) and Marcus Stoinis (146*) have made higher scores than Michael Bracewell from No.7 or lower in men’s ODIs. Thisara Perera had also scored 140 while MS Dhoni had scored 139* for Asia XI against Africa XI.
Michael Bracewell entered the game at No. 7, and the job that lay before him seemed insurmountable: his team needed 240 runs to win in just over 25 overs, and there were only five wickets left to be taken. The Kiwi all-rounder warmed up off Mohammed Shami with two boundaries in an over and didn’t look back after that.
New Zealand soon lost Tom Latham at the other end, but Michael Bracewell was content being the one-man army in this Kiwi’s line-up, going hammer and tongs at the Indian bowlers with some incredible shots. The innings almost overshadowed the work of Shubman Gill earlier in the day, who belted a double hundred in India’s 349/8.
Coming to the match, a top-class bowling effort from Mohammed Siraj (4/46) outweighed Michael Bracewell’s heroic ton (140) and a threatening 162-run partnership with Mitchell Santner (57), as India overcame a late onslaught from these two all-rounders to clinch a 12-run win over New Zealand in the first of the 3 match series against the Kiwis at Hyderabad on Wednesday.
India posted 349/8 in 50 overs. Shubman Gill top scored with a knock of 208 runs. Skipper Rohit Sharma (34), Suryakumar Yadav (31) and Hardik Pandya (28) also played some valuable knocks. All-rounder Daryll Mitchell was the pick of the bowlers for Kiwis with 2/30. Henry Shipley took two wickets, while Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner and Mitchell Santner picked a wicket each.
Michael Bracewell Was Dismissed By Shardul Thakur In The Final Over
Chasing 351, Indian bowlers dominated Kiwis initially, reducing them to 131/6, with opener Finn Allen (40) being a notable contributor. But a seventh-wicket stand between Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner changed everything. The batters thrashed Indian bowlers all over the park. Michael Bracewell scored his second ODI ton, while Mitchell Santner also scored a half-century.
Mohammed Siraj, after taking early wickets, helped India make a comeback, dismissing Mitchell Santner for 57 and breaking the 162-run stand. With 20 runs needed in final over, Shardul Thakur dismissed Michael Bracewell for a valiant 140 of 78 balls, consisting of 12 fours and 10 sixes.
India won the match by 12 runs and took a series lead of 1-0. Shubman Gill won the ‘Man of the Match’ for his double ton.
A solid partnership between Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner kept New Zealand in the hunt. The pair added 162 runs for the seventh wicket, with Mitchell Santner chipping with a 45-ball 57. Despite losing his partner, Michael Bracewell kept things moving and was the final man to depart. He was trapped LBW for 140 off 78 balls by Shardul Thakur in the final over as New Zealand fell short by 12 runs in the 350-run chase.
Brief Scores: India 349/8 (Shubman Gill 208, Rohit Sharma 34; Daryl Mitchell 2-30) won over New Zealand: 337 (Michael Bracewell 140, Mitchell Santner 57, Mohammed Siraj 4/46).