Former Black Caps all-rounder retires from cricket aged 35

Former New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirements from all forms of cricket.

The 35-year-old calls time on a career that saw him play 69 times for the Black Caps, with 28 of those appearances coming in the Test arena.

Bracewell retires with a total of 74 Test wickets, with his best effort coming in 2011 when he took nine wickets for the match as New Zealand defeated Australia by seven runs in a famous victory in Hobart.

That remains the last time that New Zealand defeated their trans-Tasman rivals on Australian shores at Test level.

Bracewell also made 41 appearances in white-ball cricket across his international career, which included a pair of matches for the Black Caps at the 2012 edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

His most recent international appearance came at Test level against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 2023, with a recent rib injury forcing Bracewell to finish up with domestic side Central Districts in New Zealand.

"It's been a proud part of my life, and something I aspired to as a young cricketer," Bracewell said via a statement from Central Districts.

"I will always be grateful for the opportunities I have had through cricket, and the chance to play for my country, as well as for Central Districts, throughout my domestic career.

"It's a privilege to play first-class and international cricket, and I'm grateful to have played and enjoyed the game for as long as I have."

Bracewell's father Brendon and uncle John both played Test cricket for New Zealand, while cousin Michael is still in the Black Caps' setup.