Cricket: Players' shifts for NZ part of CD culture

CD coach Heinrich Malan has masterminded a culture of diligence during his tenure but says Stags have to grab any opportunities that may arise with the Black Caps. Photo/file

Doug Bracewell and George Worker are reaping the benefits of the hard work and consistency culture that the Central Districts Stags embrace, according to coach Heinrich Malan.

Recalled Bracewell claimed four wickets in a man-of-the-match performance and left-hand opening batsman George Worker, on his international debut on home soil, carved up 57 runs in the five-wicket win over the West Indies in the opening ODI in Whangarei on Wednesday.

"He's been a fantastic cricketer, internationally and domestically for a number of years," Malan said of Bracewell. "We all know the potential he has and it's pleasing to see he's matured - not just on the park, but off it."

He said it was great to see the You Travel Taradale CC premier player make the most of the opportunity offered as he is traditionally seen as a red-ball seamer.

"As Mother Cricket would have it, everything went his way and he picked up some big wickets on the international stage and long it may continue for him."

Malan said Bracewell had assumed the mantle of No5 CD batsman with aplomb in a bid to bolster his portfolio as a genuine allrounder.

"He's shown all the potential to bat higher up the order to stake a claim and, I suppose, he can fulfil that allrounder role that the Black Caps are searching for," he said.

After false starts here, Worker finally got a shot.

"George probably did half the job he wanted to in terms of what he was trying to achieve but, at the end of the day, he'll take the 50-odd he scored in a heartbeat because it's a nice platform for him to hopefully build on in the series."

He said Worker adapted well in ticking over the strike to fellow opener Colin Munro (49 runs) who took charge with more shots but the pair had done their job in taking the shine off the ball for the established pair of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor.

"Again you would have seen his [Worker's] batting was around the 80 to 90 per cent strike rate, anyway, so it gets the job done in the first 15 to 20 overs to offer a good run rate for your Kanes and Rosses to come in and accumulate."

He felt Adam Milne should get a chance, considering he shares a role with Lockie Ferguson, but that was before Seth Rance replaced his injured CD teammate late yesterday.

Because of NZ Cricket's embargo on teams until midday on match days it couldn;pt be comfirmed who would replace Rance but Manawatu seamer Navin Patel or Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall CC bowler Liam Dudding could be recalled today.