Michael Bracewell didn’t know if he’d play test cricket again.
But after his 47 runs helped dig the Black Caps out of a hole on day one of the first test against the West Indies in Christchurch, the 34-year-old vindicated his 10th cap in the purest format.
The allrounder was a late inclusion in New Zealand’s XI for the series opener at Hagley Oval, after Mitchell Santner failed a fitness test.
But walking to the wicket at 120-5, Bracewell not only resisted the West Indies’ bowlers, but counter-attacked to at the very least make sure Zak Foulkes and Jacob Duffy can return to the crease on day two to push the score from 231-9.
Those runs could prove vital, as New Zealand’s bowling attack prepares to return serve at the West Indies - a side who narrowly avoided the lowest test total of all-time when they were rolled for just 27 by Australia earlier this year.
On top of that, scoring those 47 runs off just 73 balls - including a 52-run stand with Nathan Smith - helped the Black Caps let the West Indies know they’ll have to work harder than that to have things their way.
The truth is, though, if either of Glenn Phillips or Santner were fit, Bracewell would not have played.
But in a summer that seems to have been built on players taking chances when presented with them, Bracewell’s efforts on day one are only the latest example of the Black Caps’ ability to find performances at short notice.
Since his test debut in 2022, Bracewell has earned just 10 caps in the purest format. A batting average of 21, and bowling average of just over 44 don’t exactly leap off the page as an allrounder.
And yet, Bracewell’s importance to the Black Caps across formats cannot be overstated. Two different coaches - Gary Stead and then Rob Walter - have named him captain of the Twenty20 side, as a reflection of his place among the white ball ranks.
But having earned another - potentially his last - chance in the test side, Bracewell has the clarity to know he wants to make it count.
“I guess I’m not getting any younger,” Bracewell said. “You want to play every test like it’s your last, and have that hunger and desire to do well.
“GP [Phillips] is a lot younger than me, and doing a great job in that role when he plays. It’s always tough to kick someone out when they’re doing really well.
“Whenever you get an opportunity to pull on that white shirt, and go out there and represent New Zealand, you want to do it with as much pride and energy as you can, and try to do it as authentically as you can.
“I’m not looking too far ahead, but [I’m] enjoying the opportunity to get out there and play.”
Since the retirement of Colin de Grandhomme in 2022, the test No 7 spot has arguably been the hardest to fill, even if it doesn’t warrant the same attention as other roles in the side.
The need to contribute with bat and ball saw both Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra debut as test No 7s, before moving up the order to concentrate on batting.
In New Zealand’s best XI, that role is now - for the most part - filled by Phillips, even if he hasn’t played for the Black Caps since March. In that time, Santner has also emerged as a contender - given his batting heroics as white ball captain - despite playing most of his career down at No 8.
But, even with his competitors doing what they can to keep him out of the side, Bracewell knows the role he has to play in making sure the best player available fills that spot.
“It’s an interesting one,” he explained. “It’s a great position to be in, there’s so many guys that can fill that role.
“Glenn has made it his own of late, we’re probably trying to chase him for that spot at the moment.
“He’s coming back from injury, I’m sure he’ll get the first crack when he’s fit. It’s just about when you get an opportunity, trying to take it, and not putting too much pressure on yourself.
“You play your best cricket when you go out there, enjoy it, and stick to the things that you do well.
“I’m certainly not going to go out there and try to play like Glenn Phillips. But hopefully I can go out there and do it my way, and enjoy it along the way.”
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.