Cricket

Michael Bracewell Named as Replacement for Glenn Phillips in New Zealand’s First Test vs Zimbabwe

Published

9 months ago

July 25, 2025

Injury Blow for New Zealand as Glenn Phillips Ruled Out; Bracewell Steps In

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed that Michael Bracewell will replace Glenn Phillips for the first Test against Zimbabwe following the latter’s injury during the Major League Cricket (MLC) final. Phillips sustained a right groin injury that requires several weeks of recovery, ruling him out of the two-match Test series in Zimbabwe.

A Timely Call-Up for Michael Bracewell

Initially unavailable due to commitments with Southern Brave in The Hundred, Bracewell’s selection comes as a well-timed boost for the Black Caps. He is currently with the T20I squad in Zimbabwe and is match-fit, making him a logical replacement. Head coach Rob Walter emphasized Bracewell’s all-round ability and experience, calling him a “like-for-like” substitute for Phillips. Michael’s an experienced player who offers balance to the squad. With Glenn out, it made sense to include someone who’s already in Zimbabwe and ready to go,” said Walter.

Michael Bracewell – Returning to Test Cricket

Bracewell, who debuted in Tests in 2022, has played 8 Tests so far. He has shown promise with both bat and ball:

Batting: 259 runs at an average of 19.92
Bowling: 24 wickets at 41.79
Notable Moment: Match-winning 4/75 vs Pakistan in Karachi (2022)

His last Test appearance came in March 2023 against Sri Lanka, where he picked up wickets and contributed vital lower-order runs. While he was not initially included in the Test squad due to franchise commitments, the unexpected injury to Phillips brought him back into the red-ball fold.

Glenn Phillips’ Injury Timeline

Phillips was injured during the MLC final in the U.S., where he represented the Texas Super Kings. The groin injury, described by NZC’s medical staff as “moderate,” will keep him out for at least 3–4 weeks. It’s a significant blow considering Phillips’ growing stature in Test cricket, particularly after his gritty performances against Bangladesh and Australia earlier this year.

This injury also means he’ll miss out on the three-team T20 tri-series preceding the Zimbabwe Tests and could be in doubt for New Zealand’s September assignments.

Zimbabwe Tour – A Stepping Stone for New Talent

The two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, while not part of the World Test Championship, offers New Zealand a chance to test bench strength and blood fresh talent in subcontinental conditions. With senior players like Kane Williamson and Tim Southee rested, the tour leans heavily on new faces and experienced fringe players.

Alongside Bracewell, the squad includes uncapped bowlers Jacob Duffy and Matt Fisher, and all-rounder Nathan Smith. Their inclusion signals NZC’s long-term planning for future WTC cycles.

Full Squad for First Test – Bulawayo (July 30–Aug 3, 2025)

Player	Role
Tom Latham (C)	Batter
Devon Conway	Batter
Henry Nicholls	Batter
Will Young	Batter
Tom Blundell	Wicketkeeper
Daryl Mitchell	All-rounder
Rachin Ravindra	All-rounder
Michael Bracewell	All-rounder
Ajaz Patel	Spinner
Matt Henry	Fast Bowler
Jacob Duffy	Fast Bowler
Matt Fisher	Fast Bowler
Mitch Santner	Spinner
Nathan Smith	All-rounder
Will O’Rourke	Fast Bowler

What This Means for NZC and Bracewell

For Bracewell, this is an opportunity to reignite his red-ball career and stake a stronger claim for a more consistent place in the Test setup. For NZC, it provides valuable insight into squad depth and the viability of rotating players between formats and franchise duties.

Should Bracewell perform well, selectors may reconsider his exclusion from longer formats moving forward — especially with a WTC cycle looming.

Future Availability

Bracewell is expected to return to England to fulfill his commitment with Southern Brave post the first Test. NZC has kept their options open for the second Test, with a decision likely based on form, team balance, and availability.

Summary

New Zealand has drafted Michael Bracewell into their Test squad to replace the injured Glenn Phillips for the opening Test against Zimbabwe. With Phillips sidelined due to a groin strain, Bracewell — already present in Zimbabwe — offers a seamless and balanced addition. As the first Test begins in Bulawayo on July 30, fans and selectors alike will be watching closely to see how Bracewell seizes this opportunity.

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Cricket

Smriti Mandhana Breaks Rohit Sharma’s Record in T20Is, Despite India’s Loss to South Africa

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

In a landmark moment for Indian cricket, Smriti Mandhana became India’s highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals, surpassing Rohit Sharma during the first T20I against South Africa women’s national cricket team in Durban on April 18, 2026.

Historic milestone for Mandhana

Mandhana entered the match tied with Rohit Sharma at 4,231 runs. With a brief but significant innings, she moved ahead to reach 4,244 runs, setting a new benchmark for Indian players in T20Is.

She achieved this feat in 155 innings, maintaining:

Average: 30.31
Strike rate: 124.38
1 century and 33 half-centuries

This milestone also elevates her to second place in the all-time list of women’s T20I run-scorers, behind Suzie Bates, who leads with 4,717 runs. In men’s T20Is, the overall record is held by Babar Azam.

Top Indian T20I run-scorers

Smriti Mandhana – 4,244
Rohit Sharma – 4,231
Virat Kohli – 4,188
Harmanpreet Kaur – 3,869
Suryakumar Yadav – 3,272

Match summary: South Africa take 1–0 lead

Despite Mandhana’s record-breaking achievement, the result did not go India’s way. South Africa women’s national cricket team chased down a target of 158 comfortably, winning by six wickets and taking a 1–0 lead in the five-match series.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the chase with a composed 51, ensuring stability at the top. Annerie Dercksen played a crucial finishing role, remaining unbeaten on 44 to guide her side home.

India’s innings: Solid but lacking finish

India posted 157/7, with contributions from:

Harmanpreet Kaur – 47*
Shafali Verma – 34
Jemimah Rodrigues – 36

While the innings had a strong foundation, India struggled to accelerate in the death overs, leaving the total slightly below par.

South Africa’s bowling performance

The hosts delivered a disciplined bowling effort:

Ayabonga Khaka – 3/16
Tumi Sekhukhune – 2 wickets
Nonkululeko Mlaba – 1 wicket

Cricket

SRH vs CSK Pitch Report: How Will Hyderabad Surface Play at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium?

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 27 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday.

Both teams have had similar results so far in the tournament, but their positions on the points table differ due to net run rate.

Team Form & Standings

Chennai Super Kings are currently placed 8th, with:
- 2 wins and 3 losses in 5 matches
- Signs of regaining momentum in recent games
Sunrisers Hyderabad sit at 5th place, with:
- 2 wins and 3 losses
- A stronger net run rate boosting their position

This makes the clash crucial for both teams as they aim to climb the table.

Pitch Report – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

The pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is widely known to favor batters, especially in T20 matches.

Key Pitch Characteristics:

Flat surface with consistent bounce
Ideal for stroke play and big hitting
High-scoring matches are common
Minimal assistance for bowlers early on

Bowling Impact:

Pacers may get some movement in the initial overs
Spinners could play a role in the middle overs, especially if the pitch slows down

Toss Factor & Strategy

Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first
A total of 180+ is often competitive, but not always safe on this ground
Dew in the second innings can sometimes influence chasing teams

Key Players to Watch

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Pat Cummins (captain) – leadership and pace
Travis Head – explosive batting
Heinrich Klaasen – middle-order power

Chennai Super Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain) – consistency at the top
MS Dhoni – finishing ability
Shivam Dube – power-hitting in middle overs

Match Outlook

Given the batting-friendly nature of the surface, fans can expect:

A run-fest with big totals
Aggressive intent from both teams
The match likely to be decided by bowling execution in death overs

Cricket

RCB vs DC: Head-to-Head Record Ahead of IPL 2026 Clash

Published

3 days ago

April 18, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to face Delhi Capitals in Match 26 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18.

With both teams aiming to strengthen their position in the points table, the clash promises to be an exciting contest.

Current Form and Standings

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been in excellent form this season. With four wins in five matches, they currently sit second in the standings and look like strong title contenders once again. Led by Rajat Patidar, the team has shown consistency with both bat and ball, with key contributions from stars like Virat Kohli.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals have had a mixed start. With two wins and two losses from four matches, they are placed sixth on the table. The side will be eager to find momentum and climb higher with a win against a top-performing RCB.

RCB vs DC Head-to-Head Record

Historically, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have dominated this fixture.

Total matches played: 33
RCB wins: 20
DC wins: 12
No result: 1

The numbers clearly favor RCB, but T20 cricket is unpredictable, and DC have the firepower to turn the tables.

Key Players to Watch

For RCB, players like Virat Kohli, Tim David, and Josh Hazlewood will be crucial. Their experience and match-winning ability make them a formidable unit at home.

Delhi Capitals will rely heavily on players such as KL Rahul, David Miller, and Kuldeep Yadav to deliver under pressure.

Match Context

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for its batting-friendly pitch and short boundaries, often leading to high-scoring encounters. This gives both teams an opportunity to showcase their batting depth.

With RCB aiming to maintain their winning momentum and DC looking to bounce back, fans can expect a competitive and entertaining match.

Full Squads

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Satvik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan

Delhi Capitals

Nitish Rana, Abishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Sameer Rizvi, T Natarajan, Tripurana Vijay, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, David Miller, Ben Duckett, Auqib Nabi, Pathum Nissanka, Lungi Ngidi, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Kyle Jamieson