19 Mar 2013

Bracewell set to be called into Black Caps squad for series decider

1:37 pm on 19 March 2013

The pace bowler Doug Bracewell will be added to the New Zealand Cricket squad for the third test against England if he gets through tomorrow's one day game for Central Districts without aggravating a foot injury.

Bracewell missed the first two tests after cutting his foot while cleaning up after a party.

Two other squad members who haven't played in the test series so far, Ian Butler and Tom Latham, will play in the Otago-Canterbury game.

The Black Caps coach Mike Hesson says Bracewell's availability creates a battle for spots in the test lineup for the third and deciding test in Auckland.

Brendon McCullum's preference, however, is for an unchanged lineup.

Even if Bracewell is fit, McCullum is erring on sticking with the same eleven for three tests in a row having been generally pleased with the performances of pace bowlers, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult