Cricket: 2-in-1 player wanted to fill Dougie's big boots

Heinrich Malan.

Easier said than done but Doug Bracewell's recall to the Black Caps yesterday has left his domestic team scrambling for solutions to replace any imbalances.

"Doug is a quality player and he's still our 2-in-one player," Malan said yesterday as the Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags prepare for the Ford Trophy one-day competition grand final in New Plymouth on Saturday.

The defending champions caused an upset last Saturday when they beat top qualifiers Canterbury Kings in the 1st v 2nd playoff at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, to secure a direct passage to the televised grand final at Pukekura Park.

The Kings, who have a second life, play 3rd v 4th winners Otago Volts today at Hagley Oval to see who proceeds to the grand final against the William Young-captained CD Stags.

Malan said it would be a challenge for him and the co-selectors to find Bracewell's replacement before the team goes to camp in New Plymouth tomorrow.

"We're keeping with the same 12 or 13," he said but emphasising a reshuffle was in order to ensure someone would pick up Bracewell's portfolio at first change bowling as well as batting higher up the order.

The United Travel Taradale CC prem men's club allrounder has played five Ford Trophy games for CD this season, taking three wickets (all in his last game against Canterbury) an average of 54.66.

The 25-year-old has been in great form with the bat though, averaging 39.75 including a career-best 80 against Northern Districts Knights, as well as smashing a 23-ball 50 against Auckland. Bracewell also played in three ODIs against Sri Lanka last month, taking four wickets at an average of 28.2 and an economy rate of 5.3.