5 Mar 2013

Bracewell out of first test for injury reasons not discplinary ones

6:55 pm on 5 March 2013

The Black Caps coach Mike Hesson says pace bowler Doug Bracewell hasn't been removed from test match contention for disciplinary reasons, despite injuring himself while cleaning up after a party at his Napier house.

Bracewell's cut his foot while cleaning up and is struggling to walk on it.

The Black Caps management say Bracewell's sorry for any embarrassment or inconvenience he's caused his team-mates and members of the public, and he's apologised to his neighbour in Napier about the party.

Hesson says he's disappointed by the incident but denies it's indicative of a drinking culture within the side.

The Otago bowler Ian Butler has been called into the squad as Bracewell's replacement and is line to make his first test appearance in over eight years.