Cricket: Bracewell hoping his luck will turn

Doug Bracewell lets rip another delivery in the recent test series against Australia. Photo / Getty Images

Black Caps pace bowler Doug Bracewell is looking for a change of luck against Sri Lanka in the second test starting in Hamilton today.

Bracewell, 25, has been in some of the best form of his career during the recent three-test series in Australia and the first test against Sri Lanka in Dunedin. But just eight scalps from four tests is not indicative of that and some rare dropped catches from his team-mates have not helped.

He says it is "just part and parcel of the game we play".

"It was frustrating to only pick up one wicket in Dunedin. I thought I bowled pretty well the whole test. I was a little bit out with my rhythm at times and a little bit down on pace but I was pretty happy with my consistency, where I was putting the ball and asking some pretty good questions.

"You can have some days where you don't have any luck and other days where you don't bowl too well and you end up picking up a few wickets."

Bracewell will not know until this morning if he gets to take on the Sri Lankans at Seddon Park. His place is under threat from Neil Wagner who took five wickets in the second innings in Dunedin.

"I am delighted he came in and bowled really well for us. He bowled some crucial spells that helped us win the test match. He brings a lot of energy and comes in hard all day and that's great," Bracewell said. "But I am just focused on my own stuff and will go about preparing the best I can to play. If they go with a different mix then it is all for the team's cause so we will just wait and see."

To be a genuine allrounder at international level has long been a goal of Bracewell's. His last two test innings of 27 not out against Australia and 47 against Sri Lanka are signs he is maturing as an international batsman.

"I have always been pretty confident with the bat but haven't always contributed as much as I would have liked so hopefully this is the start of a few scores to come."

Bracewell was born in Tauranga and grew up playing cricket from an early age with Kane Williamson and Trent Boult. He attended Pillans Point School, Te Puna School and Tauranga Intermediate before moving to the Hawke's Bay.

"I went to school with Kane and played in a lot of age group teams with him and Trent. We go back a fair way so it is funny to look back then and now where we are."