Cricket: Bracewell's blitz

Doug Bracewell.

Pedigree players can only train so much in the nets before they reach for the release valve in the pressure-cooker world of sports.

The Canterbury Kings batsmen got a taste of that from Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags opening seamer Doug Bracewell on the opening day of the second round of the four-day Plunket Shield match in Christchurch yesterday.

The Sharpies Driving Range Taradale CC allrounder was recalled to the Black Caps this summer but got no game time during the Pakistan test tour in the United Arab Emirates last month, bar a few overs for the New Zealand A side.

Bracewell tore the heart out of the Canterbury top-order batsmen, ending the hosts' innings with 6-41 from 21.1 overs, including nine maidens at Hagley Oval after CD won the toss and elected to bowl.

"I'm pretty happy but it was an okay day," Bracewell said, reflecting the Stags' mood after the Kings were dismissed for 269 runs but CD were 40-2 at stumps.

It was Bracewell's sixth first-class five-wicket bag.

"We've got to start well tomorrow. It's not ideal. Their 269 was probably a few more than we'd like but we came back well."

Bracewell said it was disappointing not to clock game time in the UAE.

"It's good to be back and playing with the boys here," he said, preferring to take each day despite quietly recognising he is in Mike Hesson's mix of 30 to make the cut for the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year.

Veteran opener Jamie How, dumped with Kieran Noema-Barnett from the last round of the T20 campaign, will return to the crease today unbeaten on 21 with No 4 William Young 5 not out.

Ex-Black Cap How, of Manawatu, racked up 7500 first-class runs when he reached 12 runs.