Bracewell 'responds to IPL snub'

Either that or he just scored a brilliant century - you choose (a cricket focused newsletter for $ subscribers)

The Beast strikes. Photosport/ AAP (file)

India of late has become, for the Black Caps at least, a place where remarkable feats happen in defeat.

Sure, you’d rather have a bunch of unremarkable wins, but if you’re going to lose, at least do it spectacularly.

Following Ajaz Patel’s 10-wicket haul in the first innings of what would become a crushing test loss in Mumbai in 2021, we now have Michael ‘Beastie’ Bracewell’s 140 batting at No7 in an ODI, a blitzkrieg innings that took New Zealand to the brink of the unlikeliest of victories.

Bracewell is quickly becoming a fascinating, must-watch cricketer. He’s been around the domestic scene for 12 years, has completely transformed his game in the process and can look world class one day and a bit clueless the next.