Cricket: Bracewell called into NZ A squad

Central Districts pace bowler Doug Bracewell has been called into the New Zealand A squad as a replacement for the injured Adam Milne.

Milne has been forced to withdraw from New Zealand A's tour of England with an elbow injury and is expected to be unavailable for about six weeks.

Bracewell, omitted from the New Zealand Test squad earlier this year for disciplinary reasons, has impressed selectors with his application and commitment over the past three months.

Selection GM Bruce Edgar said Bracewell had ticked every box asked of him during NZC's winter camps in Lincoln, and that progress and evaluation reports had been positive.

"Doug has been working very hard on and off the field to restore his relationship with the selectors, and his change of attitude has been noted," said Mr Edgar.

"He understands the trust that has been placed in him, and is delighted to have a chance to show he's learnt from his mistakes."

Bracewell, 23, has played 18 Tests, his most memorable at Hobart in 2011 when a nine-wicket haul helped steer New Zealand to a seven-run win over Australia.

New Zealand A to England:

BJ Watling (c) - Northern Knights
Hamish Bennett - Canterbury
Doug Bracewell - Central Stags
Dean Brownlie - Northern Knights
Colin de Grandhomme - Auckland Aces
Anton Devcich - Northern Knights (returns after one-day matches),
Grant Elliott - Wellington Firebirds
Matt Henry - Canterbury
Scott Kuggeleijn - Northern Knights
Tom Latham - Canterbury
Daryl Mitchell - Northern Knights
Colin Munro - Auckland Aces (returns after one-day matches)
Hamish Rutherford - Otago Volts
Ish Sodhi - Northern Knights (returns after one-day matches)
Todd Astle - Canterbury (solely for three-day matches)
Michael Bracewell - Otago Volts (solely for three-day matches)
Mark Craig - Otago Volts (solely for three-day matches)