Academy XI no ordinary team

A 'Rest of the World XI' playing a Wairarapa Development team? In Masterton?

Well, almost.

The Bracewell Cricket Academy team is no ordinary cricket team.

Coached by former New Zealand cricketer Brendon Bracewell (father of current New Zealand cricket star Doug Bracewell), the Napier-based team is made up of players from around the world - particularly from the United Kingdom but also South Africa and India. The players are not necessarily selected in the way a standard cricket team would be: instead, they sign up for Bracewell's cricketing academy and come over for spells generally lasting from three to six months.

"It gives the guys more experience, and also lets them travel places throughout the country," Bracewell said.

The travelling of the Bracewell team has side benefits for teams throughout the country - in this case, a Wairarapa Development XI made up of players from throughout the region.

"It also gives the local teams a chance to play more cricket," Bracewell said.

Bracewell says although the team takes itself seriously - former students have referred to the Bracewell Academy as the "Get Hard Academy" - it is also about experiencing life and having a good time.

"For these guy, it's like a cricketing gap year," he said.

"We get players from all over the world, and it's about promoting the game ... and having fun."