New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, ending a career spanning more than a decade at international level.
The 35-year-old last represented New Zealand in a Test match in 2023.
Bracewell’s result has been hampered by an ongoing rib injury which has ruled him out of the central counties for the current domestic season.
He played 28 Tests, 21 One Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals for New Zealand between 2011 and 2023.
The defining moment of his international career came in his third Test in December 2011 when he took 9 for 60 against Australia in Hobart.
That performance helped the Blackcaps to their first Test win in Australia in 26 years and was their most recent Test win on Australian soil.
Throughout his Test career, Bracewell’s dynamic fast medium bowling took 74 wickets at an average of 38.82. He also took 46 wickets in white-ball cricket for New Zealand.
Reflecting on his journey, Bracewell described his career as one of great pride, saying that representing New Zealand and the Central Districts was a lifelong ambition that shaped him as a cricketer and as a person.
“It’s the proudest part of my career and something I loved as a young cricketer,” Bracewell said in a statement released by Central Districts.
“I will always be grateful for the opportunities I have had through cricket and the opportunity to play for my country and Central Counties throughout my domestic career. It has been a privilege to play first-class and international cricket and I am grateful to have enjoyed playing the game as long as I have.”
The Bracewells belong to one of New Zealand’s most prominent cricketing families. His father, Brendan, and uncle, John, both played Test cricket, and John also served as New Zealand head coach on several occasions.
His uncles Douglas and Mark also enjoyed a first class life.
During his international career, Bracewell played two ODIs and one Test with his cousin Michael Bracewell, who is captaining New Zealand in the ODI series on the upcoming tour of India. The pair also played together in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup.
In domestic and franchise cricket, Bracewell has represented Central Counties throughout his career and played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2012 Indian Premier League, Joburg Super Kings in SA20 2024 and Central Stags in the Global Super League earlier this year.
Having scored more than 4,000 runs and taken more than 400 wickets in first-class cricket – he retires with a rare distinction in New Zealand domestic cricket – achieved by only one other player, off-spinner Jeetan Patel.
In 137 first-class matches, Bracewell took 437 wickets at 31.08 and scored 4,505 runs at 25.45, including three centuries, underlining his value as a true all-rounder throughout his career.