Michael Bracewell Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

Michael Bracewell is a New Zealand cricketer who represents his country in all formats and plays domestically for Wellington.

Born on 14 February 1991 in Masterton, Michael Gordon Bracewell is a right‑hand batsman and off‑spin bowler who has become a regular feature in New Zealand's limited‑overs sides and a useful option in Tests. He is a member of a prominent cricketing family, being the nephew of former Test players Brendon and John Bracewell and cousin of Doug Bracewell. Bracewell attended Kavanagh College in Dunedin before signing a contract with Wellington, the domestic side he still represents.

In international cricket he has amassed 1,042 ODI runs at 35.93, including two centuries and a highest score of 140, while also taking 46 wickets with best figures of 4/26. His T20I record includes 516 runs at a strike‑rate of 144.94 and 37 wickets, highlighted by a 3/5 spell. In Tests he has played ten matches, scoring 339 runs with a top score of 74 not out and claiming 25 wickets, best 4/75. Bracewell also featured in the 2023 IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore, appearing in five matches.

Michael Bracewell: quick facts

Born: 14 February 1991, Masterton
Team: New Zealand

Michael Bracewell career statistics

Batting

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest	Average	Strike rate	100s	50s
Tests	10	17	339	74*	21.19	57.07	0	1
ODIs	48	41	1,042	140	35.93	107.53	2	3
T20Is	51	33	516	65	23.45	144.94	0	3
IPL	5	4	58	26	29.00	123.40	0	0

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best	Average	Economy
Tests	10	25	4/75	47.92	3.60
ODIs	48	46	4/26	34.59	4.93
T20Is	51	37	3/5	23.95	7.85
IPL	5	6	2/13	15.83	8.64

Figures as of 10 November 2026. Figures from Cricsheet (cricsheet.org), Open Data Commons Attribution licence.

Michael Bracewell’s early life

Michael Bracewell was born on 14 February 1991 in Masterton, New Zealand. He grew up in a cricket‑loving family; his uncles Brendon and John Bracewell both played Test cricket for New Zealand, and his cousin Doug Bracewell is a current international player. The Bracewell name is also linked to entertainment through his cousin Melanie Bracewell, a comedian.

He received his education at Kavanagh College in Dunedin, where he began to develop his cricketing skills. The school environment provided early exposure to competitive cricket, laying the foundation for his later domestic and international career.

Michael Bracewell’s domestic career

Bracewell secured a contract with Wellington for the 2018–19 season and continued to be a key player for the side. In March 2020, during round six of the 2019–20 Plunket Shield, he recorded his maiden five‑wicket haul in first‑class cricket, signalling his growing prowess as an all‑rounder.

On 8 January 2022, Bracewell struck 141 not out for the Wellington Firebirds against the Central Stags in the Super Smash tournament, setting a new record for the highest individual score in a Twenty20 match in New Zealand. His performances have kept him a regular feature in Wellington's line‑up across formats.

Michael Bracewell’s international career

Bracewell made his ODI debut for New Zealand against the Netherlands at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on 29 March 2022. Since then he has played 48 ODIs, scoring 1,042 runs in 41 innings at an average of 35.93, with a strike‑rate of 107.53 and a highest score of 140. He has recorded two centuries, including a 140 against India at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal on 18 January 2023, and a 127 not out against Ireland at Malahide on 10 July 2022. With the ball he has taken 46 wickets at 34.59, best figures 4/26 against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi on 24 February 2025.

His Test debut came against England at Trent Bridge on 10 June 2022. Over ten matches he has amassed 339 runs in 17 innings, averaging 21.19 with a top score of 74 not out against Pakistan at National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi on 2 January 2023. As a bowler he has claimed 25 wickets at 47.92, his best innings figures 4/75 in the same Karachi Test.

Bracewell entered the T20I arena on 18 July 2022 versus Ireland at Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast. In 51 matches he has scored 516 runs at 23.45, with a highest of 65 against India at Eden Park, Auckland on 30 October 2026, and taken 37 wickets at 23.95, highlighted by a 3/5 spell against Ireland at Stormont on 20 July 2022. He also recorded a hat‑trick in his second T20I, the first over he bowled in international cricket.

Michael Bracewell’s franchise and league career

In March 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore signed Bracewell as a replacement for the injured Will Jacks ahead of the sixteenth edition of the Indian Premier League. He featured in five IPL matches, scoring 58 runs in four innings at an average of 29 and a strike‑rate of 123.4, with a highest score of 26. With the ball he delivered six wickets at an average of 15.83, recording best figures of 2/13.

Michael Bracewell’s records and achievements

Bracewell's most notable innings include a 140 against India in an ODI on 18 January 2023 and a 127 not out against Ireland in the same format on 10 July 2022. His highest Test score is 74 not out against Pakistan on 2 January 2023, while his top T20I knock is 65 against India on 30 October 2026. He has taken four‑wicket hauls in both ODIs (4/26 against Bangladesh, 4/36 against Sri Lanka) and Tests (4/75 against Pakistan).

In July 2022, Bracewell achieved a rare feat by claiming a hat‑trick in his second T20I match, dismissing three batsmen in the first over he bowled. He also recorded the third fastest ODI century for New Zealand in January 2023, matching MS Dhoni's record of scoring more than one century while batting at number seven or lower.

Michael Bracewell’s personal life

Michael Bracewell comes from a family with deep cricketing roots. His uncles Brendon and John Bracewell both represented New Zealand in Test cricket, and his cousin Doug Bracewell is a current international bowler. The family's sporting pedigree is complemented by a link to entertainment through his cousin Melanie Bracewell, a well‑known comedian. Bracewell's education at Kavanagh College in Dunedin provided the early platform for his cricketing development.

Michael Bracewell: frequently asked questions

When was Michael Bracewell born?

Michael Bracewell was born on 14 February 1991 in Masterton.

Where is Michael Bracewell from?

Michael Bracewell was born in Masterton, New Zealand.

Which teams has Michael Bracewell played for?

Michael Bracewell plays international cricket for New Zealand.

Which IPL team does Michael Bracewell play for?

Michael Bracewell’s IPL teams include Royal Challengers Bangalore.

When did Michael Bracewell make an international debut?

Michael Bracewell made a Test debut against England at Trent Bridge on 10 June 2022. Michael Bracewell made an ODI debut against Netherlands at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on 29 March 2022. Michael Bracewell made a T20I debut against Ireland at Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast on 18 July 2022.