Cricket: CD finds seamers in short supply

Doug Bracewell.

With a plethora of humming seamers in the past few seasons, Central Districts is momentarily finding itself in the grip of a bowler crisis midway through the first-class campaign.

The walking wounded include Ben Wheeler, Andrew Mathieson, Seth Rance and, as of yesterday, Black Caps seamer Doug Bracewell.

Bracewell, of Napier, withdrew from the national squad before the second test against Australia, starting in Christchurch on Saturday because of an injured right shoulder. He underwent a scan in Wellington yesterday.

"Douglas finds out tomorrow [today] how bad it is and from there we'll see what the recovery time is and if he can play for us," said CD coach Heinrich Malan, emphasising Bracewell was always in the Black Caps test mix as the Stags prepare to host the Wellington Firebirds in round six of the Plunket Shield game in Napier from Saturday.

Add to the injured list the unavailability of Manawatu's Navin Patel due to studies and Malan is left sounding out premier club seamers.

Bracewell's Taradale club mate, Ben Stoyanoff, is unavailable due to work but the coach is expected to reveal two Hawke Cup debutants today for the Saturday match.

Bracewell, Malan said, was the unluckiest player in the last 24 months, finding himself at the wrong end of a no-ball decision on Adam Voges and having Craig Brown drop Steve Smith on 24 odd.

"It's going to be interesting to see how fantastic he is with Mother Cricket on his side," he said, adding Bracewell was still the most economical.