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New Zealand Replaces Injured Glenn Phillips With Michael Bracewell For 1st Test vs Zimbabwe

Rajgeeta Yadav

Micheal Bracewell announced as replacement for Glenn Phillips [Source: @TheYorkerBall and @LokeshVirat18K/X]Micheal Bracewell announced as replacement for Glenn Phillips [Source: @TheYorkerBall and @LokeshVirat18K/X]

New Zealand Cricket has made a key change to its squad for the upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe. Michael Bracewell will replace Glenn Phillips, who has been ruled out due to injury, for the first Test match in Bulawayo.

Bracewell wasn’t originally available for the Test series because he was scheduled to play in The Hundred for the Southern Brave in England. However, he was already in Zimbabwe as part of New Zealand’s T20 team for a tri-series, and his schedule now allows him to play the first Test. Head coach Rob Walter said the decision to include Bracewell was an easy one.

New Zealand will play two Test matches against Zimbabwe, the first starting on July 30, and the second on August 7.

Rob Walter Explains Decision Behind The Replacement

Glenn Phillips had to pull out of the tour after suffering a right groin injury during the final of the Major League Cricket tournament. With Phillips out, Bracewell was seen as the best replacement, especially since he was already in the country and available.

Head coach Rob Walter explained the decision, saying:

“Glenn’s injury provided a gap in the Test squad and Michael is the closest like-for-like replacement. Michael’s experience and skillset will be a great asset and allows us to keep the same balance of the team."

The MI New York all-rounder will return to England to rejoin the Southern Brave in The Hundred after the first Test. For now, the team will focus on the first match and a decision about a replacement for the second Test will be made later.

This will be Bracewell’s first red-ball (Test) appearance since 2023, when he last played against Sri Lanka. The 34-year-old made his Test debut in 2022 and has played eight matches, scoring 259 runs and taking 24 wickets.