An INTERNATIONAL cricket star has jetted into the country ahead of the start of Worcestershire’s Vitality Blast campaign.
New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has arrived in the UK ahead of the Rapids’ opening match of the T20 season.
Worcestershire Cricket Steering Group chair, Paul Pridgeon, confirmed Bracewell would be flying over from India on Monday evening.
Bracewell has spent recent months playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, but their failure to make the knockout stages means he is free to join the Rapids.
Pridgeon said: “Michael Bracewell will be available for the beginning of the Blast and is flying to England this evening from India.
“All being well and subject to the normal medical checks, he should be in contention for Wednesday.
“We had contingency plans in place should Michael’s side RCB have reached the knockout stages of the IPL but are delighted he will be joining us as planned.”
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It wasn’t the most productive campaign for Bracewell on the subcontinent.
Signed as a replacement for the injured Will Jacks, the 32-year-old averaged 29 across five appearances for RCB, at a strike rate of 123.40.
In total, he managed 58 runs from four innings, with a highest score of 26.
Worcestershire announced the signing of Bracewell back in December.
It came at the end of an impressive year, with Bracewell having made his Black Caps Test debut against England in June.
He then showed his hitting power for his country with 127 off 82 balls in an ODI against Ireland last summer and followed that up with a hat-trick in a T20I against the same opponents in the first over he bowled in an international match.
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Bracewell will be experiencing his first taste of county cricket in England when he turns out for the Rapids.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to my first experience of the Blast, a competition in which Worcestershire had a lot of success in recent times.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Worcestershire from a lot of New Zealand players who have recently played there, and I’m really excited to have the opportunity to join up with the group next summer."
Worcestershire open their 2023 campaign away at Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Wednesday (May 24), a 6.30pm start.
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