Cricket: Bracewell has a big future

Doug Bracewell. Photo / Getty Images

Other than his notable last name, not many New Zealand cricket fans would know a lot about young all-rounder Doug Bracewell.

Son of former test player Brendon Bracewell and the nephew of former national coach John Bracewell, the 21-year-old, who first played for Central Districts when he was only 18, is a player people will quickly learn about though.

He bowled New Zealand to their first test match victory away from home since 2008 today (Sunday NZT) - albeit against Zimbabwe - with a second-innings five-wicket bag at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Bracewell was picked for the tour on potential and promise rather than an amazing domestic record - he has a first-class bowling average of 39.97 - but the strapping rookie delivered when the side needed him and impressed his captain, Ross Taylor.

"He got some important wickets as well. There was a stage there where we needed wickets and couldn't afford to give them a lot of runs," Taylor told APNZ from Zimbabwe.

"The way Doug came in in his first test match and got a five-for is a credit to him.

"It's exciting for New Zealand cricket and I'm sure it's a proud day for him as well."

Bracewell's second innings figures of 5-85 were the fifth best by a Kiwi on test debut and he joined an exclusive club of only seven players to grab a five-wicket haul in their first five-day affair for New Zealand.

New Zealand's 34-run victory was by no means a sure thing at any stage of the test; Zimbabwe battled admirably with a limited bowling attack but a sound batting line up and they put themselves in a position to win the test on the final day.

Chasing 366 to win, they began their unlikely pursuit on day five at 61-2 and captain Brendan Taylor found a willing partner in opener Tino Mawoyo and the pair put on 96 for the third wicket before Mawoyo was dismissed for 52.

Taylor featured in another important partnership with the diminutive Tatenda Taibu (63) and the side's two best batsmen added 108 for the fourth wicket before Taylor was dislodged by veteran seamer Chris Martin for 117.

His century marked only the second time a Zimbabwe player had passed three figures in the fourth innings of a test match and his 147-ball vigil included eight fours and five sixes.

The departure of Taylor sparked the Kiwis into gear and Zimbabwe lost their last seven wickets for only 66 runs as Bracewell was well supported by man of-the-match Daniel Vettori, who claimed 3-71 and turned the screws on the home side during a 38.1 over spell.

"We were happy to get away with the result," Ross Taylor said.

"I guess we went in to the day as favourites. But the way Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu took it to us just before lunch and just before tea they were in ascendancy. Again they took it to us; full credit to them not shutting up shop in the end. It made for a pretty exciting test match really.

"They play very well at home and are not going to be easybeats when they start playing more test cricket."

Toss: New Zealand
Result: New Zealand won by 34 runs
Series: New Zealand beat Zimbabwe 1-0