Cricket: Bracewell is back with a vengeance

Doug Bracewell enjoyed his comeback. Photo / Getty Images

Doug Bracewell waited a year for yesterday and, when his chance came, he grabbed it.

He will start today with three Sri Lankan wickets for 23 on his return to test cricket after 14 months' absence.

Bracewell was dropped from the New Zealand test squad before last year's Indian series for late-night indiscretions.

He's worked hard, produced strong domestic form - he's the leading Plunket Shield wicket taker with 23 at just 13.86 apiece for Central Districts - and yesterday showed why captain Brendon McCullum described him on Friday as "bowling the house down" in the nets.

Bracewell came in for Neil Wagner, who is unlucky. Wagner hasn't done much wrong and McCullum had said on Friday it would be an unchanged side, provided Tim Southee was over an ankle niggle.

A look at the Basin Reserve pitch might have changed his mind.

Bracewell's expertise with the newish ball compared to Wagner's greater proficiency with the older ball was deemed more relevant on the green pitch which seemed to have seam and swing writ in capital letters.

Bracewell conceded he felt some pressure to perform.

"I was a little bit nervous but, at the same time, excited and looking forward to taking the opportunity," he said. "It was exciting to get the call-up and to get three wickets is a pretty good feeling."

He has not changed much technically in his time away from the national side, other than tidying his run-up.

"The other stuff stays the same. I like to keep it pretty simple and do what I do and try and hit good areas."

Bracewell knew there were possibilities for the seamers provided they were smart about their work yesterday. Sri Lanka were in danger of blowing it in the morning session, but improved after lunch, albeit aided by indifferent New Zealand batting.

"It's the sort of wicket, if you bowl badly, you can get punished but if you stay disciplined and patient you'll get rewarded," Bracewell said.

Although the southern end of the Basin displayed occasional indifferent bounce, Bracewell reckoned if batsmen apply themselves then there are runs in it.

The best batting is likely to come on day three tomorrow, which New Zealand will welcome provided Bracewell and co continue their good work today.