Michael Bracewell: The Black Caps fill-in captain discusses returning his role to Santner for the T20 series against England

The next series in the spring of cricket gets underway later tonight, with the Black Caps set to take on England in the first of a 3 match T20I series in Christchurch. 

Michael Bracewell has relinquished the captaincy for this back to white ball captain Mitch Santner, but still plays an integral role in the side. He caught up with Adam to preview the match. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk ZEDB.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
It's nice to have them in town, I'm sure, but
also nice to have that fierce rivalry on the field
with them too.

Speaker 3 (00:19):
Yeah. Absolutely, I think certainly friendly with them off the field,
but as soon as we step out on that field
it's a different ball game. So yeah, looking forward to
getting out and playing against England.

Speaker 2 (00:29):
You led the sides in those three T twenties against Australia.
It was happened a bit by the weather, but what
did you feel you and the team got out of
those three games.

Speaker 3 (00:38):
Yeah, Look, I think we probably not as the way
we wanted to, and I think as the games went on,
we got more and more towards where we want to
be playing, in the style of cricket we want to
be playing. So hopefully we can continue that on and
that learning gets put into practice quickly and we can

(01:00):
start on the front foot against England in the series.

Speaker 2 (01:02):
What is that style you talk about, Yeah, we.

Speaker 3 (01:05):
Want to we want to take the game on and
I think we talk about as a group the sort
of the key we way, So just trying to find
a way to be effective on different surfaces, and our
ability to adapt and adjust to the conditions as we
see fit is particularly important to us as a group.
So yeah, those are the things that we sort of

(01:26):
focus on and really try and yeah, as I say,
nail that key, we sort of ingenuity type.

Speaker 2 (01:33):
Vibe bitch sat in the back as captain. Now you're
relinquished from those duties. Does it change much for you
having that responsibility off your back and I guess able
to focus a bit more on your game.

Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, I think you get to focus a little bit
more on your role, and with the captaincy you sort
of feel that you're nailing what are the matchups look
like in the game and certainly trying to take advantage
of those. So yeah, there's a little bit less noise.
But yeah, obviously when Mitch is there, I'm still help

(02:07):
for him and guidance around that. But yeah, he's got
a really good handle on those sorts of things, so
sometimes he comes to you for ideas, but the rest
of the time you're just trying to really really know
your role and do the things that are required.

Speaker 2 (02:23):
And I know you would have chatted to Rutch and
Raveindra during that Australian series where he was sadly ruled
out at the very last minute. He is back tonight.
How eager is he to be back out on the
park do you think, and how crucial could he be
to the black Caps performances the series?

Speaker 3 (02:37):
Yeah, it was a real shame about him and Ballian series.
He's heading the ball really really well at the moment,
and yeah, I think really he's really growing and learning
his game, particularly in the twenty twenty space. I'd say
he's really world class and playing beautifully at the moment.
So yeah, really looking forward to seeing how he goes.

(02:59):
I know he's pretty eager to get back out there
after disappointingly listening out and that Assi series.

Speaker 2 (03:06):
Ben Sears out of the team and other injury for him,
but others back in too. Does much change in terms
of the team dynamic from the squad you had for
that Aussie series a couple of weeks back.

Speaker 3 (03:16):
It's by and large the same, obviously missing Cis which
which is disappointing, and you add much back in the mix,
which is massive for us. He's a he's a crucial
part of our twenty twenty side. He's a world class bowler.
And amazing leader and obviously provides some really handy hitting
down the end as well, so he balances our side

(03:38):
very nicely. I think we saw a niche come in
and do really well when he was given the opportunity
against the Australians as well, So he's he's rightfully been
given another opportunity in the squad, which is exciting because
again I think he provides a lot of balance for
our side too. So yeah, hopefully we can go in
with quite a long betting lineup and and also a

(04:00):
number of bowling options.

Speaker 2 (04:02):
And with Mitch Santona coming back in that extra spin
option there too. Does that change your role at all,
Michael in terms of how things can be balanced out?

Speaker 3 (04:10):
Yeah, it's an interesting one. I think twenty twenty is
definitely going to more towards those matchups. And I think
if you can have lots of different bowling options, then
you're a real chance of being able to exploit someone weaknesses.
Is a better So now now we've got Rutchen and
Sat coming back in who both offer left un orthodox overs,

(04:34):
it definitely gives us a little bit more variety to
our attack and perhaps instead of coming on for myself
and trying to be a defensive bowler, then you can
come on and be an attacking bowler, perhaps when the
left handers are on struck. So yeah, it is I
guess it just provides you a lot more options to
be able to exploit the weaknesses that we've been speaking about.

Speaker 2 (04:57):
And your opponents are the England team for if few
familiar names around. Obviously experience names as well, Harry Brook captaining,
Josh Butler there too, but a lot of the world
best as you look through their teamless for some like,
what are the biggest challenges in terms of taking them on.

Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, I think hopefully we can attack them with the
new ball, and Matt Henry is obviously a huge part
of our side when he's when he's getting that ball,
talking up the top. So yeah, if you can take
if you can keep taking wickets in twenty twenty, they've
got they've got a pretty good opening peer with Saltan
and Butler, so yeah, if you can take a take

(05:33):
a couple of wickets in the power play and really
put that middle awner under pressure, they also got quite deep,
So yeah, it's going to be a cracking series. There's
there's fire, firepower in the banning lineups across both sides.
So yeah, it's going to be plenty of run scored,
I imagine and hopefully that, hopefully we're able to adapt and yeah,

(05:55):
come up with the trumps on the conditions on the deck.

Speaker 2 (05:58):
And speaking of which, how's the wicket at Hagley looking
at this early stage of the season.

Speaker 3 (06:03):
Yeah, it looks looks fantastic for high scoring cricket. Looked
good yesterday, so I'm sure it'll be great today.

Speaker 2 (06:12):
Eglud have a bit of red ball cricket. I'm sure
in the back of their minds, Michael, any advantage for
you guys that the Ashes is approaching for them and
I guess it's something that they're all circling on their calendars.

Speaker 3 (06:24):
I have no doubt that they are certainly looking forward
to that Ashes series. But it's something as international cricket
as you've got to deal with. There's there's always something
on the horizon. But yeah, I'm sure they'll be fully
tuned into the series and wanting to make a statement
as will we be.

Speaker 2 (06:41):
And to sold out signs up outside Hagley Oval for
tonight must be encouraging and nice for the team to
know you'll be in front of a sellout crowd of
probably not just Kiwis, but if you allowed British supporters.

Speaker 3 (06:52):
To It always makes a great atmosphere down here at
Hagley when when the sold out signs are up. So
it's fantastic that we're able to put one of those
up early in the season and old Matt continue throughout
the whole summer.

Speaker 2 (07:05):
Good on your Michael things. There's always fe your time
here on News Talks. They'd be made to go well
in the series.

Speaker 3 (07:09):
Awesome Thanks Aden, Cheers mate.

Speaker 1 (07:11):
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