Injured Bracewell out of New Zealand ODI squad

Doug Bracewell, the New Zealand allrounder, has been ruled out of the first two One-Day Internationals against Pakistan after sustaining a hamstring injury while fielding during the third Twenty20 International against West Indies on Wednesday (January 3). He is set to undergo a medical assessment in the coming days to determine the extent of damage.

Bracewell’s teammate at Central Stags, George Worker, has been named in the 13-man squad as his replacement. Worker has played seven ODIs for New Zealand, scoring 225 runs at 37.50. He has also played two T20Is in 2015, during which he scored a 38-ball 62 against Zimbabwe on debut.

Worker will join the New Zealand squad in Wellington on Friday, after Stags’ clash against Auckland Aces in the Super Smash T20 competition on Thursday.

Bracewell didn’t bat or bowl in the third T20I, which New Zealand won by 119 runs to clinch the three-match series 2-0. Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, was particularly disappointed given that Bracewell had only recently made his comeback, in the first ODI against West Indies, after being sidelined for 12 months with a knee injury.

“Doug’s worked really hard to make it back into the side after a pretty serious injury last year and he’s impressed in the opportunities he’s had,” said Hesson. “We know he’s a hard trainer and back him to rehab well and be available for selection in the not too distant future.”

Colin de Grandhomme, who took a break after his father's demise, is expected to be back in action in the first ODI against Pakistan. Hesson was optimistic about his availability for the final three ODIs, the squad for which is yet to be picked.

The five-match ODI series between New Zealand and Pakistan will be followed by three T20Is.

Squad (for first two ODIs): Kane Williamson (capt), Todd Astle, George Worker, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.